Most of us have been in that situation before, when you lose someone close. And what happens after that? The sadness hits. While it is sometimes alright to feel sad, sadness can also lead to making poor decisions. We often just need to get the sadness out, to tell someone and to have someone listen to us, someone to stay by our side. The Trauma Intervention Program is that person who will listen, that person who will stay by your side.
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| TIP is a group of specially trained volunteers who provide emotional first aid and practical support to survivors of traumatic events and their families in the first few hours following a tragedy. Trained, skilled responders are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year in Greater Portland and in the Windham area. SUBMITTED PHOTO |
It was started to support the first responders and the medical teams at Maine Medical so they could continue to help the injured or critically ill. TIP provides emotional first aid and practical support to survivors of traumatic events and their friends and families in the first few hours following a tragedy.
Pam Grant is the interim Program Director and joined TIP in March of 2020 as a volunteer. She was then asked in late April if she would step in as the director of the program.
“Because I too think this is a wonderful program, I agreed,” said Grant. “I worked for a local retail grocery chain for 40 years and retired in 2018. After taking care of my grandson for a couple of years through COVID, I decided I needed to give back to our community and saw an ad about TIP. I guess as they say the rest is history. I am still learning every day more about the program myself.”
TIP is a group of specially trained volunteers who provide emotional first aid and practical support to survivors of traumatic events and their families in the first few hours following a tragedy. Some volunteers are from Windham and will work here in the community.
Trained, skilled TIP responders are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They are called by police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and hospital personnel to assist family members and friends following a natural or unexpected death, survivors of violent crime including rape, assault, robbery, or burglary; survivors of fire, disoriented or lonely elderly persons, people involved in motor vehicle accidents, people who are distraught and seeking immediate support and those whose loved one has died by suicide or overdose.
“Essentially, our program adds well trained volunteers to the public safety system and to hospital emergency departments. These volunteers are able to assist those emotionally affected by the emergency who the emergency responders do not have the time to assist. Our volunteers arrive within 20 minutes and provide much needed emotional and practical support,” said Grant.
By providing this extension of care, the positive image of the emergency response system is continued.
“The results of this program are dramatic. Not only are traumatized citizens given quality care they would not otherwise receive, but police officers, firefighters, and emergency department personnel report that the presence of a TIP volunteer takes a tremendous burden from them. They can concentrate on their jobs knowing the “emotionally injured” are being cared for,” Grant says.
TIPS is highly regarded by all the first responders and medical staff at Maine Medical and they are the ones that decide if TIPS needs to be called into an event.
“So many people say, ‘oh, I could never do that’ truly people take care of people in crisis every day, sitting with someone, quietly listening to what they need, and supporting them. That is emotional first aid,” says Grant.
There is always a need for volunteers, so there is no limit to how many people can sign up to volunteer.
To volunteer, you must
* Provide a $45 registration fee.
* Have a driver’s license with working vehicle and cell phone.
* Must live in Greater Portland or the surrounding area.
* Maintain a working cell phone, internet access and an email account (must have frequent access to internet and email to be a volunteer).
* Have a personal GPS Navigation System for routing to calls.
* Attend mandatory monthly CE Meetings which are held the second Wednesday of each month.
* Complete fingerprinting and criminal background investigation.
* Provide a DMV driving record printout (available online through each state’s website).
* Provide a copy of auto insurance declarations page reflecting current coverage.
* 11. Must show proof of COVID-19 vaccination
TIP volunteers will be scheduled for three shifts per month for 12 hours each shift, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. or 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. You provide your availability for the month and three of those dates are scheduled for your shifts.
For more information and to sign up, please visit tipgreaterportland.org/ <
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