You can learn how to help victims of crimes, house fires, car wrecks and other life-changing events. A training program will be held in Pensacola beginning at 6 p.m. April 3, for people interested in becoming volunteers with Trauma Intervention Programs, (TIP). TIP teaches citizens how to give emotional and practical support to traumatized people immediately after tragedy strikes.
The classes will be held at the Pensacola Police Department, 711 N. Hayne St. The course, which takes 30-plus hours, covers such topics as “Dealing with Death,” “Street Smarts” and “Working with Emergency Responders.” It concludes April 12.
TIP volunteers respond to calls from hospital personnel, police officers, firefighters, and paramedics day or night. They help family members confronted with natural or unexpected deaths; crime victims; disoriented or lonely older persons; victims of vehicle accidents; and anyone emotionally traumatized by a crisis event. Volunteers range in age from teens to senior citizens.
More than 30 volunteers participate in the program, but more are needed.
For more information, visit www.tip-ser.org or call 612-1068.
Trauma Intervention Programs, Inc., a national non-profit organization, was founded in 1985. The Northwest Florida Chapter, in existence since 1994, serves people in Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Volunteers needed for trauma intervention