Trauma Intervention Program, a national organization with more than a dozen locations serving hundreds of cities, is launching a presence in Western North Carolina. The nonprofit is now recruiting a pool of volunteers in anticipation of extensive training (50 hours over 10 days), which begins on Thursday, Oct. 22.
Volunteer duties include responding to the scene of a trauma (unexpected death, accident, suicide, child death, drowning, for example) immediately after the incident to “provide practical and emotional support to family members left behind.”
No experience is necessary, but individuals must be able to complete all training classes before graduation into the program.
Visit tipofwnc.org for more information, including a training schedule.
More from TIP’s website:
Who We Are…
Trauma Intervention Programs, Inc. is a non-profit, volunteer organization of specially trained citizen volunteers who provide immediate emotional and practical support to victims and their families in the first few hours following a tragedy.
TIP National, along with elected officials, public safety officials, and community leaders, have worked together to make TIP of Western North Carolina a reality in Buncombe County and surrounding areas.
In the hours following a traumatic event, victims and survivors often feel hopeless, confused, and in emotional shock. They are confronted with a dire situation for which they are totally unprepared, and they may feel devastated. Police officers, firefighters, or paramedics on scene are often busy with their own duties and responsibilities and find it difficult to provide meaningful emotional support to family, friends, and survivors. This can be very frustrating to both emergency services personnel and the others involved in the crisis, and there may be no one else available in the immediate aftermath of a tragedy to guide them through these difficult hours.
TIP of WNC is a Chapter of Trauma Intervention Programs, Inc. which was founded in San Diego County in 1985. There are currently 15 regional TIP Chapters in the nation serving over 250 cities.
What We Do…
Tip Volunteer ServicesA TIP volunteer is called in by emergency services personnel. The TIP volunteer will respond within minutes and after a quick briefing, will provide immediate and temporary support until the persons involved in the crisis are able to depend on other family members, friends, neighbors, or others. TIP volunteers are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to assist police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and hospital personnel with:
Family members and friends following a natural or unexpected death
Victims of violent crime including homicide, assault, robbery, or burglary
Victims of fire or other loss of home
Disoriented or lonely elderly people
Persons involved in motor vehicle accidents
Persons who are distraught and seeking immediate support
Family members of a person who has completed or attempted suicide
Natural disasters and public tragediesSome of the ways TIP volunteers assist are:
Providing emotional support to victims or survivors
Helping arrange for food, shelter, clothing, and transportation
Helping notify other family members and friends
Serving as a liaison between the victims and emergency services or hospital personnel
Helping arrange for follow up services
Providing information about and referrals to appropriate agencies for ongoing assistanceWithout the TIP volunteer present, the victims or survivors of a tragedy may be left to fend for themselves at a time when they are emotionally traumatized, and least capable of thinking clearly or rationally.
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