A TIP volunteer is a specially trained person who is called to a scene by emergency services personnel. The TIP volunteer responds within minutes and after a quick briefing, will provide immediate and temporary support until the persons involved in the crisis are able to depend on family members, friends, neighbors, or others. Without the TIP volunteer present, survivors of a tragedy may be left to fend for themselves at a time when they are emotionally traumatized, and least capable of thinking clearly or rationally.
After graduating a 55 hour training academy, TIP volunteers are required to be on call for three twelve hour shifts per month and attend one mandatory continuing education meeting per month. First responders rely on TIP to provide support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Agencies requesting TIP include law enforcement, firefighters, paramedics, and hospital personnel in Buncombe and Henderson Counties and the cities of Asheville and Hendersonville.