When Nampa patrol officers were asked if they could think of an incident in recent months where having a volunteer to help victims would have benefited them, their answer was “absolutely,” Lt. Jason Kimball said.
Soon, the city of Nampa will be able to use volunteers trained for helping victims deal with a tragic loss.
The Trauma Intervention Program of the Treasure Valley, TIP for short, has been in Ada County for four years. TIP started as a nonprofit organization in California and now reaches cities coast to coast offering first responders assistance, said Kymber Neal-Jenkins, program director for Treasure Valley’s TIP.
On Jan. 22, Nampa City Council approved $12,000 for next fiscal year to implement the organization in Nampa.
“That’s a small amount for what we can potentially use this for,” Kimball said.
Neal-Jenkins calls the organization a “force multiplier.” Only law enforcement officers, paramedics, firefighters, coroners or hospitals can call TIP volunteers to a scene.