Victim Services Unit fills needs

By JAN TUCKER

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Ontonagon — When there is a fire, shooting or trauma situation in Ontonagon, the police may call on a little known group of volunteers called the Victims Service Unit.

The well-trained volunteers are under the auspices of the Michigan Sheriff’s Association and are a short-term advocacy group for victims.

The OVSU responds quickly when called upon by the police, fire department, hospital and emergency officials. Jeanne Manning is coordinator. She worked for the sheriff’s department for 20 years before retiring and saw the need for the unit.

“It is a commitment,” Manning said. The volunteers have 20 hours of instruction, background checks and monthly meetings, as well as continuing education.

“We have no Red Cross immediately available in the county, and we are the immediate response team,” Manning said. She explained that in two recent fires in the county, the OVSU was called by fire officials and went to the scene to bring food and water for firefighters and victims’ families blankets and offered to help find a short-term place for the occupants. “We are there to try and inform the victims of the resources available during a very trying time,” Manning explained.

The group made its first call in June of 2014. Manning said it took a year of paperwork to get all the approvals to activate a unit.

The OVSU presently has nine volunteers, but Manning would like to have some in more areas of the county. She pointed to a need to have members in Bergland and other communities. “You have to be dedicated because it is a commitment,” she stressed.