Sean C. Morgan
The Trauma Intervention Program of Linn County faces the possibility of closure on June 30 if it cannot find new funding.
The program has approximately 22 trained volunteers, who respond to traumatic incidents to provide emotional aid and practical support to the victims of traumatic events and their families in the first few hours following a tragedy.
TIP volunteers provide whatever help a victim may want. They can connect victims to the resources they’ll need in the aftermath of the incident, bring blankets and coffee to fire victims or simply stand by until they are needed.
The volunteers are available 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. They are called by police officers, firefighters, paramedics and hospital personnel to assist family members and friends following a natural or unexpected death; victims of violent crime including rape, assault, robbery, or burglary; victims of fire; disoriented or lonely elderly persons; people involved in motor vehicle accidents; people who are distraught and seeking immediate support; and survivors of suicide.
The program, part of a nationwide nonprofit organization, needs to find $25,000 per year for the next two years to continue operating, said Pat Blackburn, crisis team manager. Right now, Linn County fire and police agencies are in such a state that they’ve had to cut funding for the group.
Lebanon Fire District is continuing to fund the organization for now, Blackburn said, but Sweet Home Police Department and Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District have had to cut their funding.
It’s an important resource, Blackburn said, but the agencies can’t cut police officers and firefighters.
Blackburn is sending out letters looking for corporate sponsors, she said. If the program hasn’t found funding by May 15, it will begin shutting down and then start looking at other alternatives to provide the service.
Funds cover a variety of expenditures, including $400 for the executive director and $200 for the crisis team manager, annual reports, accounting and bookkeeping, payroll taxes, dues, insurance and more.
“One of the biggest expenses is twice a year we do training,” Blackburn said. “That’s about $2,500 each time.”
The organization also requires background checks on volunteers, she said, but local agencies have helped complete those.
“It’s an awesome program, especially to help people when they’re going through a traumatic event and don’t have a support system,” Blackburn said.
TIP assisted Ron and Mary Ann Rettke on Jan. 28 when their bowling center, Sweet Home Lanes, was destroyed by fire. Volunteers brought blankets, grabbed coffee, contacted Red Cross and stood by to help as needed.
“They did a good job as far as I’m concerned,” Ron Rettke said. “I’m satisfied with what they did.”
Blackburn said if people donate and the program cannot continue, “we would channel that somewhere else.”
Or people could pledge support and send checks if the program is able to find enough funding, she said.
Blackburn may be contacted by email at [email protected] or (541) 570-9109.