Crisis Response Team In Need Of Volunteers

STUDIO CITY (CBS) — Interested in helping people in a time of crisis? The Crisis Response Team is looking to train volunteers.

David Singer visited the KCAL 9 studios Monday. He is a psychotherapist and part of the executive team for a Crisis Response Team.

The Crisis response team works with the Beverly Hills and Culver City police and fire departments, as well as other law enforcement agencies. They were the first psych-support people on scene at Farmer's Market in Santa Monica, and worked with Covina police after the "Bad Santa" attack in 2008. But most of the calls they go to are not in the media. The team typically responds to everyday tragedies such as deaths in the family, suicides, etc.

Most of the supervisors are licensed psychotherapists, but the team itself is made up of paraprofessionals, from housewives, to retirees, to business people looking to give back.

The Team is looking to train volunteers beginning in October. It is a 10 week training course on Thursday evenings, beginning on Oct. 6th.

For more information, visit The Crisis Response Team online.