By Yvonne Gibbs, Photo courtesy of Arizona Crisis Team
From our larger cities to outlying remote communities, Yavapai County is served by outstanding teams of first responders and emergency room personnel who provide help to those impacted by traumatic incidents.
Because trauma doesn’t end when the sirens fade, the Arizona Crisis Team (ACT) provides immediate emotional, practical and resource assistance to people who have been impacted by any type of crisis, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Crisis team volunteers fill the critical void of supporting the family or individual while the police and fire personnel attend to law enforcement, medical emergency and fire suppression needs.
“The Arizona Crisis Team has been an invaluable partner to the Prescott Police Department,” says Prescott Police Chief Amy Bonney. “Their expertise and compassionate response allow our officers to focus on public safety, knowing that individuals and families in crisis are receiving immediate and specialized care. This collaboration strengthens our community and helps us provide the right support at the right time.”
Personnel are trained volunteer advocates coordinated through a single system that provides 24-hour, on-scene, crisis intervention services in Yavapai County. When requested by emergency agencies, ACT volunteers provide immediate crisis intervention support to individuals who have been faced with traumatic incidents such as deaths (natural, unexpected, accidental, suicide), attempted suicides, sexual assaults, homicides, robberies, drownings, domestic violence incidents, residential fires, serious injury accidents and medical emergencies.
These critical services are provided free of charge and are made possible by grants from local governments, individuals, foundations and fund raising. The Arizona Crisis Team is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.
Volunteer advocates are always available. They are called at any time of the day or night 365 days per year by police officers, firefighters and hospital personnel to assist individuals, families, groups, schools, hospitals and businesses that have been exposed to a traumatic event.
“The service ACT provides is caring, respectful and truly benefits both the community and our firefighters,” says Bill Hickey, Division Chief of Operations Prescott Fire Department. “I am thankful for the dedicated men and women who volunteer their time to help our citizens and visitors in critical times. The Prescott Fire Department is able to return to service knowing that those we serve are being cared for.”
For more information on ACT, visit www.azcrisisteam.org.
