Ramona Locals Attend Senior Volunteer Patrol Academy
By Jim Evans

John Leap at the scene of a recent accident.

Ramona residents recently completed courses given by the San Diego Sheriff's Department at the Senior Volunteer Patrol Academy at the Deputy Sheriff's Association (DSA) offices in Poway.

New volunteer Doris Raulston completed a two-week course, which included topics on ethics and rules of conduct, radio training, patrol observations, crime prevention, adult protective services, map book techniques, traffic control, driver training and the "You Are Not Alone" program. That program provides elderly, disabled or homebound residents a phone all six times a week and a personal visit by an SVP member once a week.

Both Raulston and veteran member Lew Soper were given instruction in CPR, the Heimlich Maneuver and the use of an electronic defibrillator. All SVP members must be recertified every two years in CPR.

SVP members must be at least 50 years old, have valid California driver's licenses, medical and auto insurance and have passed background checks.

Uniforms are provided at no cost after graduation from the SVP Academy. Volunteers are generally required to participate in at least one, six-hour patrol shift weekly from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and attend a monthly meeting in the activity room of the Ramona Library.

Doris Raulston participating in the CPR instruction. Photo courtesy of RSVP

Among the no-cost services performed by volunteers for residents include checking homes while residents are out of town. SVP volunteers also photograph and register information on residents who suffer from Alzheimer's. That information can be utilized in the event that someone wanders away from home or becomes disoriented.

SVP volunteers also help deputies process paperwork, help out at car accident and crime scenes, ticket motorists who illegally park in handicap spaces, rope off crime scenes and direct traffic during accidents or disasters.

Those interested in attending an academy and becoming a member of the Ramona Sheriff's Volunteer Patrol, can contact Bill Hicks at 760-738-2481.

Photo by Jim Evans