Volunteers can learn how to help victims of fires, crimes, other tragedies

PENSACOLA, Fla. March 6 — Here’s a chance to learn how to help victims of crimes, house fires, car wrecks and other crisis events.

A training program will be held in Pensacola beginning at 6 p.m. April 4 for people interested in becoming volunteers with Trauma Intervention Programs, which 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.”

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, said Tommy Carter, TIP’s executive director.

The TIP training includes a $30 registration fee, which is tax-deductible.

For details, contact Carter at (850) 934-6654 or e-mail tommyC@tip-ser.org.

For more information, visit www.tip-ser.org.