Volunteer Crisis Responder

Crisis Responders are on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week 365 days a year and are accessed by Police and Emergency Service Personnel.

Volunteers Respond immediately to requests for victim assistance from emergency personnel by attending on site or at an alternate safe premises throughout Middlesex County and the City of London. Volunteers may attend personal residences, public places, police stations and may be exposed to the natural elements, smoke filled rooms, animals, etc.

Benefits

Intensive initial and ongoing training in related areas including intimate partner violence, grief & bereavement, death notification, property crimes, court & legal systems, etc; learn about community services and make referrals as needed; provide direct support to people in times of need following crisis; variety of exposures, locations and activities.

VSML asks for a minimum commitment of 1-year of service, offering 36 hours per month to volunteering. Shifts work on an on-call basis.

For more information please contact Volunteer Coordinator Dale @ 519-661-4797 or by dale@vsmiddlesex.org 

Requirements

• Must be Eighteen (18) years of age or older
• Must reside in Middlesex County or the City of London
• Must be willing to undergo a CPIC check and Vulnerable Sector Screening
• Must have access to a vehicle, valid Ontario driver's license
• Minimum of $1,000,000 automobile insurance
• Must be willing to complete both online and in-class training
• Successfully complete the in-depth Training
• Ability to meet the commitment 36 hours per month
• Must be physically and mentally able to perform the duties of the position (e.g. standing for long periods of time, exposure to victims/witness trauma)
• Must become familiar with the procedures of Victim Services of Middlesex-London 
• Must be willing to sign an oath of confidentiality

Competencies Required: compassion, empathy, reliability, strong communication and critical thinking skills.

Competencies Developed: ability to assess needs, prioritization and decision making, conflict resolution, sensitivity, adaptability, continuous learning, community awareness/knowledge, self awareness.

Responsibilities of Volunteers

• Respond immediately to requests from Emergency Services 
• Provide short-term emotional support and practical assistance including answering questions and providing information that will help lessen the impact of victimization
• Shifts are scheduled in advance and on an on-call basis 
• Identify long-term needs by responding to victim's concerns and supply the victim with appropriate options and referrals to services 
• Report activity to the Victim Services of Middlesex-London staff or Team Leader upon completion of a call.
• Complete Occurrence Report
• Dedicate 36 hours per month; SHIFTS 7am-1pm, 1pm-7pm and 7pm-7am
• Attendance is mandatory at regularly scheduled training meetings.
• Commitment of a minimum one (1) year from the time training ends.

We provide forty (40) hour mandated government training program (in class and online) and we offer additional training specific to the needs of victims and community services throughout the year.