LOS ANGELES - Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa today announced volunteer opportunities for individuals living or working in the City of Los Angeles to become a member of the City's Crisis Response Team (CRT). The program is particularly in need of volunteers with bilingual capabilities in Spanish and Korean.
"Our City's Crisis Response Team is a vital asset to our emergency first responders," said Mayor Villaraigosa. “I urge Angelenos to get involved and assist in their neighborhoods in times of crisis.”
The Crisis Response Team is composed of community volunteers that respond to traumatic incidents at the request of the Los Angeles Police and Los Angeles Fire Departments. The volunteers provide immediate, on-scene crisis intervention, attend to survival and comfort needs, act as a liaison between the victim and emergency personnel, and provide referrals to victims and their families affected by a death, a serious injury, a violent crime or other traumatic incidents. These incidents include homicides, suicides, serious traffic accidents, natural deaths and multi-casualty incidents.
“The Mayor's Crisis Response Team is a vital, greatly appreciated asset to both the community and the Los Angeles Police Department,” said Chief Charlie Beck. “Team members, whose selfless time and efforts are completely voluntary, provide added dimension and value to our relationships with crime victims and really make a difference in the lives they touch.”
The Crisis Response Team program is managed by the Mayors Office of Homeland Security & Public Safety, and is operated in collaboration with the City's Fire and Police Departments.
"Training is the key to any successful program,” said Chief Millage Peaks. “The new year will bring the opportunity for volunteers to learn the skills necessary to assist those in great need and work in critical situations. The LAFD appreciates their passion to help others."
Volunteers must be at least 21 years old and in good physical condition. CRT volunteers participate in 48 hours of intensive training over a seven week period designed to help them develop the skills, knowledge and relationships necessary to function effectively in the field. The seven week training session begins on Tuesday, January 18, 2011 and will take place each on Tuesday and Thursday evenings through March 3, 2011.
Training will take place in the Downtown area followed by a graduation ceremony at City Hall typically presided over by Mayor Villaraigosa with the Police and Fire Departments.
Residents interested in learning more about volunteering for the Crisis Response Team should contact:
Jeffrey Zimerman
Crisis Response Team Manager
213-978-0697
e-mail: LACRT@lacity.org |
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