safermn.net<img border=0 src=images3/s2.gif>EARCH & RESCUE - AWARENESS - SUPPORT

Our Mission Statement

United by the hearts of communities and the assistance of public service agencies, we are banding together to safeguard the lives of people with special needs. Our goal is more than locating those that wander; it is to restore peace of mind back to the caregiver, through support groups, individual safety plans and educating the community. S.A.F.E.R. is a non-profit organization that is driven by the compassion of its founders

SEARCH AND FIND EMERGENCY RESPONDERS

Tragically, individuals with dementia or cognitive impairments often have no fear of real dangers and can become seriously injured – or worse – should they wander off. S.A.F.E.R. is a specialized search and rescue program that assists emergency responders in quickly locating our members. S.A.F.E.R. members wear a 1 oz transmitter on their wrist or ankle 24 hrs a day. Should they wander away from a family member or caregiver, they can be located in a short amount of time, ensuring a safe return home - in most cases in under 30 minutes. S.A.F.E.R. is also a registered non-profit corporation in the state of Minnesota. For more information about our non-profit status please click on the Community Foundation link.

WHY USE THE S.A.F.E.R. PROGRAM?

There are other great locator programs available, but S.A.F.E.R.'s comprehensive program offers families so much more than just a bracelet. In addition, S.A.F.E.R. takes care of the administrative portion of the program for any Police or Fire agency that has been trained and is using our equipment!

Here are a few of the benefits S.A.F.E.R. offers:

Option to have an invisible perimeter system - you'll know immediately if your loved one wanders
Secure Care Home WATCH ™, will set off an alarm if your loved one gets out a door
Individualized safety plan for school or assisted living staff
K-9 Search Service Dogs
Free indoor pool time at local hotels
Support groups for families and caregivers with vulnerable loved ones
Support groups for Dads of special needs children (COMING 2009)
Friendship Circle (social/support group for special needs children)
Gluten & Dairy free cooking classes

The Perimeter System establishes an invisible boundary around your home that will alert you if your loved one leaves the yard! The monitored area is adjustable with the turn of a dial and there is no installation required and no buried wires. As long as the person wearing a S.A.F.E.R. transmitter stays within the boundary, no alarm will sound. During the day you can expand the area to give your loved one more freedom and independence. At bedtime you can adjust the perimeter, and if your loved one wanders in the middle of the night the alarm will sound and you will be quickly alerted. Since the unit is mobile and can be operated on batteries you can take the unit with for camping and hiking trips, family vacations to the lake or simply to the mall to enjoy a day out with the comfort of knowing that your vulnerable loved one is always protected.

Testimonials from People on the S.A.F.E.R. program

"I'm very excited about the S.A.F.E.R. program. It certainly helps to ease the mind that if a child wanders off, we have resources to find him before he can get too far away, and certainly before something terrible could happen. I like many other parents of children prone to wandering, and who lack the capabilities to identify danger, can truly relax a bit more. I am particularly grateful that the police can have information in their computers about my child and his particulars and can access this information in seconds enabling the police to work effectively with my child. Thank you Mario Cortolezzis and Ben Karnes for all you do for our children! They are "SAFER" because of you."
Christine Dondlinger - Waconia, MN

"The Community Foundation for Carver County has done many great things in Carver County, S.A.F.E.R is just another great example of people caring for people"
Joel & Brenda, Norwood Young America

"I think offering not only the peace of mind that a team will locate our child if he wanders, but the different support groups and swimming lessons! God bless you for bringing this to us. We have been asking for a program like this for 2 years, and always was told that 'they' were looking into it. Anything to make life more normal."
Steve & Sherly, St.Bonifacius

"Our mom and dad worked hard all their lives, and now that our mom has to take care of our dad at home because of his Alzheimer's, we worry about them much more. We cannot wait to get them on the S.A.F.E.R program and have the invisible perimeter, so our mom would know if she hears that alarm sound, that she can call 911 and a team of people would come out, and be able to locate him. God Bless."
Rachel, Heather, Paul and Adam, Waconia

"When I first seen the equipment, I have to admit I laughed, thinking it looked liked the old T.V. antenna's. But, when I was learning how to use the equipment, and being able to locate a small transmitter the size of a silver dollar, and walking on a cold day almost a 1/4 mile, and finding it in the middle of a corn field in under 12 minutes......I was SOLD. This program will offer us the tools, to return the S.A.F.E.R. members back to their loved ones, and save us from asking that question, 'which way do I go?' I am a STRONG believer in this program, and I am proud to be a volunteer."
Law Enforcement Officer.

S.A.F.E.R. IN THE NEWS

KARE 11 EXTRA

Waconia Patriot article on S.A.F.E.R.

Second Patriot article on SAFER highlighting co-founder Mario Cortolezzis and his son.

New Agency joins S.A.F.E.R.

Arc Voice magazine article.

Fox9 news report by Scott Wasserman

S.A.F.E.R. article in the Chanhassen Villager

Lakeside news highlights Mall of America chaperon program. Special thanks to producer and editor Chris Vogt, and LMCC.

S.A.F.E.R. protects your vulnerable loved one and offers you peace of mind!