To Boise-area police, fire, other first-responding officers: Thank you, and keep it up

With all of the news about first responders, police departments, and defunding or changing parts of public-service institutions, I offer a small story about my experience.

I recently became a volunteer with an organization called the Trauma Intervention Program. TIP is a national group of volunteers who provide emotional and practical support to survivors immediately after a tragedy. The tragedy might be a fire, a car accident, a suicide, the death of an elderly parent at home, or some other event that takes someone’s life.

TIP volunteers help the survivor or survivors get through the first few hours, just by “being there” and offering practical resources, if possible.

The first responders to a scene must request TIP support. When a 911 call comes in, and the deputies or officers arrive at the scene, they must decide if they need a volunteer to sit with the survivor while they do their work. Their work could be trying to find out what happened, deciding if there was any foul play, or working with the coroner.

When I finished the training for this program, I’ll admit, I was terrified — TERRIFIED — at the thought of going on a scene. Would I make a mistake? Would I say the wrong thing to the survivor? Would the police officers think I was “in the way?”

One of the veteran volunteers dispelled that concern right away. She said, “The officers and deputies and other first responders have your back. Don’t worry about that part at all.”

She was so right.

I’ve been on several calls now and find at least four or five officers or deputies or detectives (and always the coroner) on each scene. I watch and listen to their interactions with the survivors. I have been impressed beyond measure. They are respectful, they are genuine, and they are empathetic, even when they have to ask hard questions, like “Are these all of the medicines she took? Were there others you might not have known about?”

They explain what they are doing and why. They are gentle with their interactions. They leave their business cards and offer to answer any questions at any time of day.

TIP volunteers like me sit with survivors and try to help them process a bit, but mostly we’re just there. Our presence allows the police, fire, coroner and others the time and space to do their jobs. They don’t have to handle some of the emotional aspects; that’s what TIP volunteers try to do.

My point: I don’t think we can lump all law enforcement into a single bucket. The job these professionals do ranges widely but at least in one area, from my very small sample, I’m impressed. The people in the organizations I’ve dealt with are remarkable, from the Boise Police Department to the Ada County Sheriff’s Office, from the fire units to the coroner’s office.

To them I say: Keep it up, and thank you.

Nancy Napier is a Boise State University distinguished professor. nnapier@boisestate.edu

This story was originally published August 24, 2020 at 4:00 AM.