We talk a lot about Crises, such as Active Shooter Events and what you can do through projects like the Stop the Bleed Campaign  and of course, CERT. As CERT Board of Directors, we can tell you the an essential program, which often interacts with local CERT Teams is the Trauma Intervention Program. TIP is a volunteer organization that has been serving citizens for 30 years. The Trauma Intervention Program gets called on scene by the first responders to be with someone who is going through a traumatic event. TIP provides emotional and practical support, within the first few hours. EFA (emotional first aid) skills are a core element of the TIP programs. These are skills that can benefit everybody whether you are a TIP member or not. These skills are essential, as we do not want to cause further harm, either with words or actions. TIP is a non-profit volunteer-based program developed to provide support and assistance to those traumatically affected in emergency situations. When a trauma occurs, partnering agencies such as law enforcement, fire, and hospital personnel request a TIP volunteer to be with survivors to provide much needed emotional and practical support immediately following the crisis. TIP works closely with partnering agencies to provide a different dynamic to the emergency response system to meet the emotional needs of surviving victims.

Who are TIP volunteers?

TIP volunteers are specially trained citizens of all ages (16+) and backgrounds who understand the benefit and need of having a compassionate person alongside them following a trauma. Many of our volunteers have personally been through a traumatic event and know in a singular way the benefit of how immediate emotional support can significantly impact the healing process in a positive way.

What do TIP volunteers do?

When arriving at a scene, TIP volunteers:
  • Provide a calming, supportive, compassionate presence.
  • Serve as an advocate and liaison between victims and emergency personnel.
  • Protect the victim from further emotional trauma.
  • Respectfully answer questions and discuss available options.
  • Assist victim with contacting family and other support in their support system.
  • Offer resources for the victim to refer to.

When is TIP called?

Since trauma and tragedy can happen at any time, TIP volunteers are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. TIP volunteers are requested by authorized emergency responders to assist in tragedies such as:
  • Natural or unexpected deaths (suicides, sudden infant deaths (SIDS), drowning, etc.).
  • Crimes including sexual assault, robbery, and domestic violence.
  • Emergency scenes including vehicle accidents, house fires, and community disasters.
  • When assisting individuals who are distraught and seeking immediate support.

How is TIP funded?

TIP is a non-profit tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization that offers services at no charge to victims and families in crisis. TIP is funded through partnering agencies, such as Law Enforcement and Fire Departments, who contribute an annual assessment fee to receive TIP crisis intervention services for their residents. Funds are also made possible through individual donations, corporate donors and fund raising efforts.

Why TIP?

Following a tragic event, individuals involved suffer emotional trauma. Victims often suffer from confusion, fear, extreme sadness, denial, and an inability to think. Often there is no one available in the immediate aftermath of a tragedy to guide victims through these difficult hours. TIP volunteers are there to assist during this critical and desperate time.  The emotional support offered by TIP volunteers provides a buffer to extreme distress and TIP provides the necessary immediate support until other persons are able to depend on family and friends.
TIP
Learn more about TIP through your local Trauma Intervention Program:

TIP Affiliates

Arizona
TIP of Arizona, Inc. (928) 443-2217 http://www.tipcorona.org
California
TIP of Corona, Inc. (951) 736-2373 http://www.tipcorona.org
TIP of Foothill/Sierra Mountain Inc. (559) 279-9674 http://www.tipfoothill.org
TIP of SW Riverside County, Inc. (951) 698-2453 http://www.tipswrc.org
TIP of Orange County (714) 314-0744 http://www.tiporangecounty.org
TIP of San Diego County Inc. (855) 847-7343 http://www.tipsandiego.org
TIP of Yuba-Sutter Inc. (530) 673-9300 http://www.yubasuttertip.org
Florida
TIP of N. W. Florida, Inc. (850) 934-6654 http://www.tip-ser.org
Idaho
TIP of The Treasure Valley (208) 391-3972 http://www.tiptreasurevalley.org
Maine
TIP of Portland, ME (207) 553-9311 http://mainebehavioralhealthcare.org
Massachusetts
TIP of Merrimack Valley, Inc. (978) 975-8471 http://www.traumaintervention.com
North Carolina
TIP of Western North Carolina (828) 513-0498 http://www.tipofwnc.org
Nevada
TIP of Northern Nevada, Inc. (775) 337-2112 http://www.tipnnv.org
TIP of Southern Nevada (702) 229-0426 http://www.tipoflasvegas.org
Oregon
TIP of Portland/Vancouver, Inc. (503) 823-3937 http://www.tipnw.org