Trauma Intervention Program looking for a few good men and women to serve as volunteers

Emotional rescue.

That’s the specialty of the men and women who respond to emergency calls as volunteers with the Trauma Intervention Program of Orange County.

And now TIP is looking for more volunteers to fill a crucial role when police officers and firefighters roll out to traffic accidents, crimes and other scenes.

People who speak Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, Farsi and American Sign Language are particularly needed, said Kristi Hofstetter Batiste, crisis team manager of TIP OC.

TIP volunteers help survivors of tragedies by easing their immediate suffering and facilitating their healing and long-time recovery, freeing up first responders to do the jobs they need to do.

A new round of training for TIP volunteers — existing volunteers range in age from 16 to 80, and come from all walks of life — kicks off in September.

Photo of “Every 15 Minutes” courtesy of Jakub Lichtenstein, OCFA.

The intensive training totals 55 hours and costs $45.

The payoff, TIP veterans say, is invaluable.

TIP of OC is a chapter of the national non-profit organization founded in 1985.

Today there are 15 chapters serving more than 250 cities.

The O.C. chapter of TIP, founded in 1995, currently has 99 volunteers who serve 20 jurisdictions, 10 hospitals and 10 public-safety agencies.

TIP volunteers commit to two years of service and must be available for three 12-hour shifts per month.

TIP training begins Thursday, Sept. 10 and runs through Saturday, Sept 19. There is a follow-up training class Oct. 27 and graduation on Dec. 1.

For more information or to register, call 714-314-0744, email tipincceo@aol.com or click here.

Photo courtesy of Jakub Lichtenstein, OCFA