Victims Inc. seeking volunteers

ROCHESTER — The Joan Ellis Victims Assistance Network, is still accepting applications for the 34th training of trauma intervention volunteers in Strafford and Rockingham counties. Applicants are interviewed for the training, which begins April 6.

The training consists of eight Saturday sessions. Volunteers must be 21 or older, provide their own transportation and commit to serving the program for one year. No previous medical, legal, or psychological experience is necessary, according to Victims, Inc. officials. Your own life experiences and talents bring vitality to the program. The free training provides the necessary skills to comfort and assist people during the most difficult hours and days of their lives.

Victims, Inc. services start within minutes of traumatic situations and continue as long as needed. Services are free. Since the program began in December 1993, volunteers have been called to assist victims or family members at fires, explosions, fatal and serious injury crashes, suicides and other untimely deaths, robberies, drownings, missing persons, industrial and recreational accidents, sudden infant deaths, etc. They sit in the hospital with the injured or family members. They are called to scenes by fire officials, local and state police. Volunteers go with police to give notification of tragedies, prepared to stay until the family support system is in place. They are able to make referrals to other agencies and services. Trauma volunteers have para-professional status. The training program has been designed with the aid of hospital personnel, lawyers, police and fire officials, clergy, media, funeral directors, professors, and counselors.

For more information or an application to volunteer in Strafford or Rockingham County, call Pat Rainboth, executive director, at the East Rochester office, 603-335-7777.