None of us know when trauma is going to enter our lives. TIP is a program that gives people emotional first aid on some of the worst moments they experience. It is a privilege for TIP to walk along side others at these times.
As an emergency responder, I have been calling the Trauma Intervention Program NW (TIP) to emergency incidents for nearly 30 years. The TIP volunteers are consistently prompt, professional, and a true asset to everyone on scene. Two years ago, we had a particularly difficult incident where a 23-year-old female went back into a burning home to retrieve a pet. Unfortunately, she did not make it out. The family dynamics at the scene created quite a bit of tension for all of the family members that had gathered while we searched the rubble for the victim. I called for a TIP volunteer to be with the family. He arrived within 30 minutes, reported to the Incident Commander, and was briefed on the incident. He then made contact with the family. Unfortunately, the family initially spurned the TIP volunteer’s help. I was impressed that the TIP volunteer recognized the difficulty the family was going through. He did not leave. He did not force the situation. He just quietly stood by and made himself available. After a long period of time, some of the family members realized that they could benefit from the help provided by TIP. The volunteer began working with the family to address some of their issues. I truly appreciate the help we received that day. Having the TIP volunteer on scene monitoring and eventually helping the family allowed the firefighters and fire investigators to focus on their duties. I want to recognize TIP for all the incidents where they have helped us out over the years.
This program is instrumental in helping citizens dealing with immediate trauma, to cope and feel supported while their world is crumbling. As volunteers we are showing compassion, empathy, and genuine care for a stranger who is experiencing the worst day of their life, generally due to the death of a loved one. The support that we as volunteers can give, is also reinforced in us by the support we receive from this organization. No one is alone in these situations, the support and genuine care flows abundantly. Additionally, there are many vital resources that are available through TIP which can help long after the immediate needs are met. An overall wonderful Nonprofit. One that truly just gives for the sole benefit of the recipient.
Working with more than 150 citizen volunteers, TIP supports survivors of traumatic events, including fires, natural deaths, accidental deaths, deaths from suicide, and school shootings. TIP volunteers are called in by first responders, and they provide emotional support and practical suggestions to help the survivor determine the next steps and to protect them from additional trauma. Traumatic events happen every day, and each of these events is a tragedy to those who are involved. TIP volunteers are at every bad event you hear about, as well as all of the bad events you don't hear about. Each year TIP volunteers respond to more than 3,000 scenes of tragedy. TIP does all of this with only four paid staff members. I have been a Board member for more than a decade, and I continue to be amazed at how much of an impact TIP has in our community despite having such a small staff.
I have been a TIP Volunteer for 10 years. The training is extensive, the support for volunteers is beyond measure, and time spent helping citizens in trauma is rewarding. The total organization is well structured and efficient.
I went through training and have been a part of this great team for a short time. It is such a great resource for our first responders to utilize. This group is full of very compassionate, professional citizens who take their role in their community very seriously. To be able to comfort those who have lost a loved one, in their immediate moment of need for empathy and information is very rewarding. I love being a member of this organization and would have volunteered sooner if I was aware of the opportunity.
As an 11 year veteran of the Trauma Intervention Program, I can say with confidence that my engagement with TIP clients, colleagues, and staff have been among the most broadening and enriching of my adult life. In addition, the training and support I have received throughout my tenure have been nothing short of excellent. The TIP infrastructure is is well designed to afford a high level of support to volunteers offering immediate direct service to fellow citizens experiencing personal trauma.
This is an incredible organization which is at the basic level, just citizens helping fellow citizens during a time of crisis. And beyond that, it’s very rewarding to be a part of this fantastic group of people who care.
My family owns Evergreen Memorial Gardens Cemetery and Funeral Home in Vancouver, WA. When we arrive at a location when there has been a death, we meet people on the worst day of their lives. We are there primarily to care for the deceased and we depend on the caring volunteers with the Trauma Intervention Program (TIP) to be there for the survivors and those left behind. Together we can deliver a holistic approach to provide support for the whole family.
I am honored to serve on the Advisory Council for TIP and be a very small part of the big important work that they are doing. TIP volunteers are an amazing group of dedicated individuals with the biggest hearts!
I am member of the Trauma Intervention Program’s (TIP) Executive board of directors and have been involved with TIP for over 25 years. I strongly believe in TIP’s primary mission for providing direct support to community members suffering through a sudden, traumatic event and to the first responder's assigned to the crisis.
I first became aware of TIP when I was a Deputy Sheriff in the early 1990’s. I began noticing and appreciating the volunteers who showed up with me on the scenes of personal tragedy: car accidents, drowning’s, suicides, natural deaths, overdoses and many other tragic and traumatic life experiences that people go through. Tip volunteers provided much needed emotional support to the people who at the scene allowing my colleagues and I to focus on our duties. TIP also responded to police and fire agencies as well we experienced traumatic incidents within our own organizations, including officer-involved shootings, deaths of co-coworkers, suicide and the need for support to people effected by our operations.
My relationship with TIP continued through the 2000’s as I became involved as a trainer, advisory board member and eventually as an Executive board member. And, as life would have it, in 2017, personally experiencing TIP's amazing support to my family, as we were rocked by the sudden and tragic death of our son.
As a result I know the importance of TIP for those going through trauma from multiple perspectives. TIP provides hope, guidance, and compassion through the trained volunteers, who I refer to as our “Angels of Mercy”. The 185 trained volunteers practice the ultimate in service and compassion to all community members of the Greater Portland/Vancouver area in need.
TIP volunteers are needed as these life altering incidents occur, 24 hours a day 7 days a week, when community members first learn of a tragedy. These Angels are there to help fill the void of the human need for emotional comfort, safety, support, and guidance. At a time like this people just need to know that there is someone there who cares,and who can stay long enough for family and friends who are not physically or emotionally able to be there for them yet. TIP volunteers fill the gap!
I believe that God puts the right “people” in our lives at certain times, for special reasons, whether we know it or not. TIP volunteers seem to be placed where and when people really need them the most. That has been my experience too. While many of us have people in our lives who support us in hard times, they may not be any more prepared for knowing what to do than we do. TIP volunteer responders are specially trained and able. They are specialists in trauma response and emotional first aid. They are silent communicators who often communicate by just being there. By simply showing up.
The volunteers I have trained, worked alongside with and who have come to my aid, all seem to be of the same make up: dedicated, kind, compassionate, humble and above all committed to the mission. They are "Angelic". They show up, apply the emotional first aid to stabilize the traumatized, allow the first responders to do their mission and then they silently slip away. They “fly in”, and then they “fly out”. Silent, Special Forces Angels, there for us all. We can never know when tragedy will effect us but, you can be certain that TIP volunteers will be there when it does. Brian M.
I have been with TIP for over 15yrs and it always come back to the people we can help. They allow as in at the worst times of their life. We are there to support and at times guide them thur the next hours. Within 24 hrs someone calls to see if we are ok. I have doing the after call support for some time, what I here is the training kicked in. The program is set up to train for success and take care of the volunteers that care. It is a great program.
Trauma Intervention Program has provided a wonderful volunteering experience for me. I've received superior training (and this is ongoing), met a variety of new friends, learned about my community, and (by the way) felt that I was making a difference in some folks' lives. TIP is a community providing a unique service to the wider community. When a family or individual is having their worst kind of day (a death), we are there to provide calm listening and information if this is wanted. Volunteering with TIP is both educational and gratifying.
T.I.P. is amazing. It is not everyday that police, fire, or medical workers allow you "in their space" to assist citizens. It is the best feeling knowing you were able to be there for someone on possibly one of their worst days and when they may not have a clue how to deal with death or a crisis.
This is such an amazing group of compassionate people who are dedicated to helping others in their most distressing times. The leadership is phenomenally supportive and they're so kind. I love volunteering here.
I have been a volunteer for the Trauma Intervention Program since 2001. The skills that are taught in the Academy will be foundation for any new person to be and effective volunteer on any call. With monthly continuing education meetings the skills stay up to date and we always learn something new. The skills are applicable in every day life, with family, friends and work. To be able to support our fellow citizens in crisis is a very rewarding experience.