Land Search and Rescue wants to set up a nationwide network of community groups this year so it can more quickly find people with dementia, Alzheimer's or autism when they go missing.
Manager Duncan Fearner says people who wander off can succumb to exposure if they are not found quickly.
In several cities, groups are providing people who wander with electronic pendants or watches, which is cutting the time it takes to find them when a search is needed.
Mr Fearner says Land Search and Rescue hopes a nationwide network will be established this year using the knowledge gained by those groups.
