FAQs from Sheriffs, Police, SAR Teams, Fire Departments and other Public Safety Agencies
Important Memo about 216 mhz and HDTV!
Regarding equipment to locate special needs individuals, is a change to the 216 mhz frequency in your best interests?
We can honestly say no but you make the choice. Consider these facts when you make your decision:
-Radio telemetry devices first started coming onto the market in the late 1960's. Since then dozens and dozens of telemetry companies and individuals, both nationally and internationally, have sold products to fit many needs.
-Hundreds of thousands of pulsing transmitters have been put into the field throughout North America in the 216 to 220 mhz bands.
-Some of these transmitters are functioning 24 hours a day but many are only used for hours at a time. They also are used at any time during the day or night.It is unpredictable where or when these will be used.
-While a good signal on a dementia transmitter might get you 1/2 to 1 mile range, many of these other transmitters may get 3 to 5 miles or more. Transmitters are also much, much stronger than those used for location dementia clients
-These companies will not stop building at 216. More equipment is going on that band daily.
Remember: the 216-217 band is shared by many kinds of transmitters, many of which are operated in random locations and at random times. It is very unpredictable. Interference from HDTV in the 174-215 mhz band, that portion of the spectrum where Care Trak has it's aithorization, will be very predictable and treatable!!
We apologize about the confusion out there concerning Channel 13 and other HDTV frequencies.
By February 2009 the FCC will require TV stations to become High Definition (HD). the majority of departments using Care Trak equipment will not be affected but a few will. If you have or will have a Channel 13 HD in your area you will need to upgrade your equipment to a new frequency.
You can check for any potential problems by visiting the FCC web site (www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/audio/tvq.html) or by giving us a call at 1-800-284-4537. We have the most current list of existing TVstations and their frequency allocations both now and where they will be post February 2009. There is no need to replace your CTI equipment or spend money. Contact Care Trak!
Care Trak is authorized to use frequencies from 174 nthru 215 mhz and will make any frequency changes necessary "At No Cost To Your Department" (other than shipping to get the items back to us).
Don't Rush to Replace Your Care Trak System.
Most Agencies Don't have any Digital
Television problems.
Call for references.
Benefit: Don't waste money.
Care Trak Will Fix Any DTV Problems for FREE!
But you MUST work directly with Care
Trak.
If you think you may have a DTV problem
call Care Trak 800-842-4537. We
have the latest DTV listings from the
FCC.
Benefit: No Hassle Quick Service
Programs Don't Save Lives...
The Right Equipment and Training Does.
Care Trak is The First,
The Original, The Best. We have been serving
first responders since 1986. Over
500 public safety agencies have used
our equipment to make over 2,000
Rescues.
Benefit: Deal directly with the Industry
Leader.
Free Operator and Instructor
Refresher Training.
We offer FREE* operator and Instructor refresher training at
our
factory in Murphysboro, Illinois every
month. Monthly space is limited so
call ahead.
Benefit: Superior Training at No
Cost
Maybe It's Time to Deal with Care
Trak Directly!
You'll Buy Direct for Lower Prices
and Fast Service.
www.caretrak.com
800-842-4537
*Travel, hotel, meals are the
responsibility of the participant.
Where did Care Trak come from?
Care Trak is a spin off company of Wildlife Materials, Inc. WMI has been building tracking equipment to monitor endangered species around the world since 1970. Care Trak was established in 1986 to help locate people at risk.
Who uses Care Trak equipment?
Over 500 Sheriffs, police, fire departments, SAR teams and other public safety agencies use Care Trak equipment to locate people at risk of becoming lost or wandering. This population is people with Alzheimer’s, other dementia and special needs kids, primarily with Autism.
How does a person at risk participate?
A loved one at risk wears a 1-ounce wrist or ankle transmitter issued by the participating agency that emits a radio signal 24/7. When a caregiver discovers their loved one missing they call 911 and the Care Trak trained agency responds with our tracking receiver to locate the missing person.
Can the transmitter be put on anyone?
No. We only place transmitters on dementia victims and special needs kids. We never put transmitters on “normal” kids or adults. We don’t believe public safety agencies should become a babysitting service.
GPS
Great for tracking cars...
BAD
for tracking people
You've heard it everywhere GPS this and GPS that. GPS is one of the greatest innovations in tracking. Everything from cars, cargo, and over the road trucks, hikers, ships, and even for getting directions to a new restuarant. GPS tracking is great for many situations except locating people with Alzheimer's who wander and kids at risk with special needs. Here's why:
GPS systems depend on satellites that orbit the earth and in most cases require a direct line of sight to the GPS receiver bracelet a kid or senior might wear. As a general rule anything that blocks sunlight, blocks a GPS tracking signal.
1. GPS cannot track a person in homes, buildings, malls, schools, heavy foliage, heavily clouded skies or other covered areas a person may wander and be lost. The Care Trak signals goes right through most objects.
2. The GPS bracelet must be charged every few days, which means the person at risk is unproected while the unit is charging or you must pushase two GPS units. The Care Trak battery get replaced once a month and changing takes minutes.
3. GPS cellular/tracking is subjected to expensive monthly monitoring fees and charges. Care Trak requires a simple battery and band change each month at a cost of less thna $8.00.
4. The government controls the orbiting GPS satellites. If there is a national emergency the government can take over the satellites for government use exclusively. Care Trak is 100% portable and can be used almost anywhere and set-up in minutes. No sattelites or cellular.
5. GPS bracelets are big, bulky, and uncomfortable to wear on a wrist or ankle. Placing a tracking device anywhere other than the wrist or ankle can be removed easily or left behind, leaving the person unprotected. Care Trak is attached to the wrist or ankle with a tamper resistant band. The unit weighs 1 ounce.
6. GPS requires cellular and GPS both of which have inherent infrastructure problems. When someone is missing you want the least amount of infrastruture problems as possible.
Care Trak Systems are telemetry based. Telemetry is radio waves much like you local radio station sends to your radio to hear music. The telemetry signal goes through most objects and Care Trak telemetry tracking is highly accurate. You can locate a lost person up to a mile away day or night, inside or outside.
Does this equipment eliminate the need for caregivers?
No, it is only an aid to caregivers. No one with dementia or a special needs kid should ever be left alone.
Do you guarantee a loved one will be found?
No. Tracking equipment is only an aid in helping to locate someone.
What’s the success rate?
Over 1,800 documented people have been rescued in an average rescue time of 30 minutes using Care Trak equipment.
What is the best way to help insure success?
NASA spent millions of dollars to develop a pen that would write in zero gravity, extreme temperatures and upside down. The Russians solved the problem much cheaper; they used a pencil.
Tracking is not “Rocket Science” buy you must practice. Telemetry, as one SAR person put it, is “Older than Dirt.” To be successful in locating people means to practice, practice and practice. Did we mention you need to practice?
What is the cost to the sheriff, police or public safety agency?
Two complete tracking packages is currently $4,995.00 and that price includes 2 days of training for up to 12 officers. Travel to the training site, hotel, meals and rental car if necessary is extra and billed after the training event. Prices are kept low because Care Trak is the manufacturer.
Who are your trainers?
Current and former law enforcement officers.
Do I have to pay for recertification?
No your agency can recertify itself by using our protocols and forms.
Where do we buy the equipment & training?
Factory direct from Care Trak. We don’t use equipment vendors or distributors
Care Trak is a for profit company what’s the advantage?
First we are the manufacturer so we can offer much lower prices. Others, including some non-profits, charge more because they are equipment vendors for imported tracking equipment.
Don’t be fooled by the term “non-profit.” Many non-profit agencies are making more money than their commercial for-profit counterparts. Research is always the best approach to dealing with not-for-profits.
What is Rapid Recovery?
Rapid Recovery is simply a program name developed to help smaller agencies get their tracking programs off the ground. We provide full color posters for stores, gas stations, and other public places. We provide stand-alone signs for doctor’s offices, clinics, and hospitals along with full color postcards that can all be rubber stamped with your agency information. We also provide many forms on pads agencies can use to make the process easier. You can use the Rapid Recovery name if you use Care Trak equipment or you can use your own program name. You can get these promotional items from Care Trak at our cost-plus shipping.
How about your warranty?
We are the industry leader with a 7-Year Parts and Labor Warranty on our transmitters, receivers and antennas. We stand behind our equipment 100%.
Is this the tracking equipment we saw on TV?
Yes we were contacted by the CBS program “Without a Trace” and “Extreme Make Over Home Edition” on ABC. We have also been on Good Morning America, Paul Harvey News and many, many more.
Where is the Care Trak factory?
We are located in the heart of the Shawnee National Forest in Murphysboro, Illinois. Care Trak is a U.S. Company.
Why deal with Care Trak?
We normally would suggest you get a cup of coffee and sit down, but for the sake of your time we will run through our Top 10:
- Care Trak is the number #1 telemetry based people tracking system in the world
- Care Trak is the Proven Leader with 500+ agencies and 1,800+ rescues
- Care Trak has Better Prices, Equipment, Training, Warranty and Service
- Care Trak has 10,000+Transmitters and 1,000+ Receivers in the field
- Care Trak is a U.S. Company employing U.S. workers not an import
- Care Trak has been in people tracking Since 1986
- Care Trak is the Manufacturer not a distributor or equipment vendor
- Care Trak offers Factory Direct Pricing
- Care Trak is Easy to use
- Care Trak Because We Care!