Mayor Announces Volunteer Opportunities to City’s Crisis Response Team

Los Angeles – Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa today announced volunteer opportunities for individuals living or working in the City of Los Angeles to become a member of the City of Los Angeles Crisis Response Team (CRT). The program is especially in need of volunteers with bilingual capability in Spanish or Korean.

The CRT is comprised of groups of volunteers who provide immediate on-scene crisis intervention and referrals to victims and their families involved in, or who have been traumatized by, a death, a serious injury, a violent crime or other traumatic incident. The program is managed by the Mayor’s Office of Homeland Security and Public Safety in close coordination with the City’s Fire and Police Departments.

"One of the critical functions of our Crisis Response Team is connecting neighbors who can volunteer to neighbors in need of crisis intervention, including victims of crime” said Mayor Villaraigosa. “I urge Angelenos who can volunteer to sign-up and join our team."

Volunteers must be at least 21 years old and in good physical condition. The next training session begins January 23rd, 2007 at the Westchester Police Academy in the LAX vicinity. CRT volunteers participate in 45 hours of intensive training designed to help them develop the skills, knowledge and relationships necessary to function effectively in the field.

Residents interested in learning more about volunteering for the Crisis Response Team should contact Jeff Zimerman, Crisis Response Team Manager at 213-978-0697 or by e-mail: lacrt@lacity.org