Sheriff’s Office to start fifth Seniors Outreach Class

MARYVILLE, Tenn. — Blount County Sheriff James L. Berrong announced that a new Seniors Outreach Academy will begin Monday, June 15, and volunteers are encouraged to apply for a slot in the class.

Anyone interested in joining the fourth Seniors Outreach Academy can call Chaplain Randy Cruze at 273-5210.

Volunteers must be 21-years-old, successfully complete a background check, and successfully complete the 40-hour training course.  The volunteers must commit to devoting 16-hours per month to the program and remain with the Sheriff’s Seniors Outreach program for one year.

The Seniors Outreach Program was started by Sheriff Berrong in 2002 and enlists the help of volunteers who reach the senior and disabled citizens of Blount County, help serve their emergency needs, and their overall quality of life.  Volunteers also lead funeral processions, freeing up Sheriff’s Office deputies to respond to calls.

Seniors Outreach volunteers drive vehicles equipped with amber lights.

Before graduating into the program, volunteers go through 40-hours of training consisting of crime prevention training tactics, first aid, personal protection devices, communication with the elderly, elderly abuse recognition and intervention, defensive driving, fire and fall prevention, and crime scene preservation.