Friday, Aug. 1, 2003 | 9:41 a.m.
It's called emotional first aid and it takes compassionate, caring and cool-headed individuals to do the job.
The Trauma Prevention Program and its volunteers work with emergency responders such as Metro Police, the Las Vegas Valley's fire departments and all local hospitals and ambulance companies to assist family members, witnesses or close friends to comfort them at the scene of the tragedies.
Volunteers are called to the scene of tragedies and stay with families for the first few hours.
"We explain the unknown," Marion Thomas, a crisis team manager for the program, said. "Knowing what's happening makes it easier to handle."
The group is recruiting to add to its current staff of 40 volunteers because the valley is growing and more calls have been coming in, Thomas said.
Volunteers undergo 55 hours of training during a two week period. They are taught what to say and do during the situations.
Training begins Sept. 4. Volunteers must be 16 or older. The classes will be held at the Henderson Fire Training Center on 401 Parkson Ave. Call Thomas at 459-1055 for more information.
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