A volunteer crew member at Lough Derg RNLI has become a trauma risk management practitioner for the Dromineer station.
Chris Parker graduated from the RNLI’s Trauma Risk Management Programme (TRiM) this past April.
The TRiM programme aims to provide confidential support and assistance for volunteers who may be dealing with the psychological effects of attending traumatic or distressing callouts.
Currently there are 60 TRiM practitioners within the RNLI across the UK and Ireland — including Parker, who joined the Co Tipperary lifeboat crew two-and-a-half years ago, shortly after moving to the area with his family.
Now a qualified lifeboat crew member, Parker is also Lough Derg RNLI’s health, safety and environmental local liaison.
“I am proud to be able to help fellow volunteers,” he says.
“Sometimes we run towards the bad stuff, and it can take its toll. As a crew member, I want to be there for the members of the public when they are in difficulty, but as a practitioner, I want to be there for my fellow volunteer crew members in the RNLI who may be having their worst day, too.”
As the RNLI is a frontline volunteer emergency service, its crews encounter scenarios and casualty injuries they may never confront in their day jobs.
And in spite of rigorous training in casualty care, volunteers respond differently to the reality of what they’ve encountered.
In most instances following traumatic events, crew will resolve any negative feelings over time. “TRiM is there to support our staff and volunteers from an early stage, to offer peer support,” Parker says.
“To those that require professional help, the TRiM practitioners have the knowledge and training to signpost those services and support.”
All training for frontline staff or volunteers is provided by the RNLI through its partner March on Stress. Parker says that to retain practitioner status, he must meet professional standards through continuous training.
He explains that the initial two-day intensive course covered active listening skills, mentoring, education and risk assessment.
