Volunteers with the Trauma Intervention Programs (TIP) help people through the aftermath of some of the worst moments of their lives. The program is currently seeking volunteers.
“It’s not a normal volunteer program, to be honest,” said Jessica Thomson of the Long Beach TIP chapter. “It’s highly structured and that requires a really big commitment from our volunteers.”
The Long Beach Police Department reaches out to TIP volunteers at any time of the day or night to provide support to victims of fire, rape, assault, robbery or burglary, as well disoriented elderly people, people involved in traffic accidents and more. According to Thomson, volunteers typically follow up with the people they assist two or three days after the initial incident to ask how they are doing.
To support victims and survivors, TIP volunteers will talk to first responders to get information for family members, contact mortuaries for survivors who have just lost loved ones, connect people to community resources that can help them and fulfill other tasks.
The Long Beach chapter of TIP is the first to open in Los Angeles County. The program already has a large presence in Orange and San Diego Counties, and they serve over 250 cities in the United States.
Long Beach’s TIP chapter began in 2019, and its first cohort of volunteers began responding to traumatic events in the city in 2021. The program currently has 15 volunteers, with four new potential volunteers going through field training.
Volunteers have to be on-call for 12 hours a day, three days a month and can be called to the scene of a traumatic event at a moment’s notice during their shifts.
“When something happens and law enforcement calls us, we have to be ready to respond,” Thomson said. “It’s not a good fit for everyone.”
To become a TIP volunteer, applicants have to attend eight mandatory training sessions before completing three months of field training. After graduating from training, volunteers are required to take a monthly continuing education class on the third Wednesday of each month.
Applicants to the TIP program must agree to fingerprints and background checks, provide proof of auto insurance, a valid driver’s license and an operational vehicle, access to a smartphone, internet and email.
The next training sessions for TIP volunteer recruits is expected to begin in January 2023, but applications can be submitted now. To apply to become a TIP volunteer, visit www.tipoflongbeach.org.
