During this week’s AFM News Hour, we spoke with Christi Hayes of the Trauma Intervention Program (TIP). This national organization is a non-profit, fully volunteer-run program designed to help those who are experiencing emotionally traumatizing emergency situations. Volunteers go through extensive training before helping first responders on the scene. Serving all of Buncombe and Henderson counties, 24/7/365, TIP volunteers offer emotional and practical support to anyone who is experiencing sudden tragedy, including deaths, accidents, and any situation where first responders such as fire, police, or EMS feels emotional help is needed.
Christi says the program has been offered in the Asheville area since 2015. Their next training takes place in person on September 11 and requires no prior experience, “just a willingness to serve.” For more information on how to get involved, visit tipofwnc.org. You can listen to the full interview in the AFM News Hour archive.