Alex Paul
The car accident was serious, but fortunately no one died.
Local EMTs and police officers did their jobs well and processed the scene quickly and efficiently.
But while the family involved was physically safe, their emotional needs were frayed during such a traumatic event.
That’s when a friendly voice came through loud and clear, someone was there to stand by their side, until some stability resumed.
That someone was a TIP (Trauma Intervention Program) volunteer, trained to provide “emotional first aide and practical support to family members and friends during an unexpected crisis.” The scenario is made up, but could be a very real event at any time of day or night for volunteers with the local TIP program.
Pastor Steve McGuyre of the Community Chapel, has been involved with TIP for a little more than a year. He says the community has six other trained TIP volunteers, including one high school student.
In 2004, local TIP volunteers have been involved with 55 calls, totaling 124 hours of service to 181 persons.
“The first thing people need to know is that we’re not ‘here to save the day,'” Pastor McGuyre said. “We’re helpers only. We’re trained to help where we’re needed and to back off where we’re not.”
TIP services are valued by local agencies. The Fire and Ambulance District recently donated $1,500 to the local program. Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital’s Social Accountability Committee also donated $2,500.
“As the fire department chaplain, I recently asked the staff where our TIP volunteers fall short,” Pastor McGuyre said. “There were no criticisms at all. The last thing anyone wants is to be disruptive.”
Pastor McGuyre called the TIP training “phenomenal.”
In Linn county, TIP programs are up and running in Lebanon and Sweet Home, but volunteers would like that to grow into other communities.
By helping trauma victims with their emotional needs, TIP volunteers free up medical staff time to do their jobs.
“TIP volunteers stay with the needy until they are surrounded by their own support systems,” Pastor McGuyre said. “A typical call lasts only a couple hours and we’re allow only one follow up contact with the person or family after we back off.”
Pastor McGuyre said TIP volunteers put the victims in touch with their family members, clergy, friends and social service agencies for assistance.
The basic trait of a TIP volunteer is someone who “cares about others” Pastor McGuyre said.
TIP training is extensive, covering 50 hours.
At a typical accident scene, a TIP volunteer works with the emergency services incident command team to”
– Help the victim connect with their family.
– Work as an extra set of eyes, looking for dangerous situations.
– To protect the victim and let them calm down.
– To offer reassurance and to find help. To help the victim get organized with things such as insurance, family members, funeral homes, etc.
“We work on a first name only basis,” Pastor McGuyre said.
There are 35 total TIP volunteers in Lebanon and Sweet Home with an October training sessions planned at Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital beginning October 7. (Call 541-619-6190 for more information or to register.)
Pastor McGuyre has lived in Sweet Home for 10 years and says he is “enthusiastic about TIP.”
“TIP’s motto is ‘Citizens Helping Citizens in Crisis’ and that says it all,” Pastor McGuyre said. “It’s not about me, it’s about helping others…but we know we can’t be the answer to everybody’s problems.”
Examples of when TIP is called:
— Assist family members and friends following the death of a loved one.
— Support family members and friends of a patient in critical condition.
— Comfort and support the parents of an infant SIDS death.
— Support a child after his or her parent has been taken to surgery.
— Help an emotionally distraught victim of domestic violence.
— Automobile accidents involving out-of-town or state motorists.
— Provide emotional and practical assistance during and after a house fire.