TRIAD
About TRIAD
TRIAD is a community-based partnership between law enforcement, senior citizens and community/senior organizations focused on the goal of senior safety. The goal of TRIAD is to reduce criminal victimization of senior citizens and enhance senior safety by bringing together community agencies to form a relationship of trust with the senior citizens, enabling them to jointly recognize and solve problems. All interested persons are invited to join Triad.
Who is involved with TRIAD? All Law Enforcement and Senior Citizens who want to:
- Make a difference
- Help others
- Contribute to a worthwhile purpose
The History of TRIAD
In 1988, representatives from AARP (American Association of Retired Persons), the IACP (International Association of Chiefs of Police) and the NSA (National Sheriffs Association) came together to attempt to define a way to help keep seniors safe from crime. The TRIAD model emerged from that effort. The 1st TRIAD agreement was signed in St Martin Parish, Louisiana in 1988. By the early 2000s, more than 800 counties had signed TRIAD agreements.
- Education: By sponsoring crime prevention and public education for older adults.
- Assist: By recruiting and training volunteers to assist police departments, sheriff's offices and other agencies.
- Support: By identifying community resources and providing referrals to older persons to help reduce fear and lend moral support.
- Unite: By involving seniors, law enforcement, community agencies and individuals to identify problem areas in their communities.
- To experience a sense of belonging
- To share your lives experiences in a way that helps others
- To be involved in something that has real purpose and make a real contribution
- A need for challenging responsibilities that will contribute to the goals of the group
- A need to see progress being made towards the goals
- A need to be kept informed
- A need to connect with seniors and law enforcement in a productive way
TRIAD offers:
- Law Enforcement and Senior Connection
- Each meeting has a law enforcement report, which provides information on:
- Current law enforcement incidents in Cass County
- New frauds and scams
- Crimes that may be occurring in your communities and things to watch out for
- Other safety issues
- Each meeting has a law enforcement report, which provides information on:
- A way for the seniors to get to know law enforcement and how law enforcement works.
- Assistance for law enforcement by having "eyes and ears in the community"
As one TRIAD member said, "You get to know them as real people and that they have feelings and 'real lives,' too!"
What are some ways in which TRIAD enhances senior safety?
TRIAD has projects that they have been involved with for many years; however, a big part of TRIAD is being open to ideas that seniors bring to the group that can be implemented by TRIAD to enhance the safety of seniors in our communities.
Programs & Projects
The Cass County TRIAD File of Life Medical Information Program enables emergency responders to obtain a quick and accurate medical history when a patient is unable to offer one. It also eliminates the risk of a patient forgetting to mention something important. During medical emergencies, victims are often confused and, in some cases, completely unable to communicate. When medications and/or medical conditions are unknown, it is extremely difficult to treat someone in an emergency.
This program consists of medical information cards and medication cards that you complete with your medical information and place in the red plastic holders. The large magnetic card holder is then placed on your refrigerator and a sticker is placed on your front door. The small card holders keep the same information in your glove compartment and in your wallet/purse. The sticker on the back driver's side window of your car lets emergency responders know there is medical information in your glove compartment or in your wallet/purse. Since medications change more frequently, there are separate medication cards.
The sticker tells emergency responders exactly where to look for your medical information and having that individualized health information available to them could mean the difference between life and death. Medical Information Programs help save lives….get yours today.
The Cass County TRIAD File of Life Medical Information Program packet includes:
- 2 red plastic MED card holders with medical information and medication cards (1 large for refrigerator, 1 small for car )
- 1 MN TRIAD Sticker and 1 File of Life Sticker
Information on the Cass County TRIAD File of Life Medical Information Program can be obtained by contacting any Cass County member or Pauline Fahey by phone at 218-547-7308 or email Pauline.
Cass County TRIAD participates in the 911 Cell Phone Program. We collect used cell phones and turn them in to the 911 Cell Phone Bank. In return, the 911 Cell Phone Bank provides us 911 cell phones. The 911 cell phones can be given out to anyone who needs an emergency phone. These phones only dial 911 and come with a charger and an extra battery.
Phones can be donated at the Sheriff's Office or at miscellaneous businesses throughout the county.
A statewide TRIAD Conference is held each fall. The various TRIAD groups take turns hosting the conference. Conferences have been held in Brainerd, Duluth, New Ulm, Alexandria, Crookston, Walker, Carlton, and Grand Rapids.
Conferences provide:
- An opportunity to network with other TRIAD groups and members
- An opportunity to learn about new programs and projects
- An opportunity to share our successes and failures and receive feedback
- An opportunity to have speakers and break-out sessions that address senior safety issues
- An atmosphere of an "extended family reunion" with members of other TRIAD groups
To view MN TRIAD Conference photos, visit the MN TRIAD Facebook page.
Boards & Membership
- MN TRIAD was established to enhance communications between the various TRIAD groups in Minnesota throughout the year instead of just at the conferences.
- MN TRIAD issues a quarterly. To receive this newsletter by email, email MN TRIAD.
- Contact is Pauline Fahey, Cass County Sheriff's Office. Call Pauline at 218-536-0899 or email Pauline.
- Officers are: Chair - Kelly Lake (Sheriff, Carlton County), Vice-Chair - Julie Duehring (Brown County), Secretary - Pauline Fahey (Admin, Cass County), Treasurer - Mickey Kimmes (Goodhue County)
- Cass County Sheriff Tom Burch
- Chief Deputy Scott Thompson
- Admin Pauline Fahey
Members
- Craig Wadzink – President
Email Craig Wadzink
Phone: 218-682-2316 - Dick Salzwedel – Vice President
Email Dick Salzwedel
Phone: 218-587-2826 - Mary Ann Lemke – Secretary|
Email Mary Ann Lemke
Phone: 651-633-2996 - Edie Johnston – Treasurer
Email Edie Johnston
Phone: 218-675-6017 - Pauline Fahey
Email Pauline Fahey
Phone: 218-547-7308
Meetings
Meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of every month at 1 pm at the Hackensack Hub. Refreshments are served. There is a potluck at noon each quarter (March, June, September, December) immediately followed by the meeting.