PALMDALE – The Antelope Valley and Mojave area California Highway Patrol offices recently held a dual Senior Volunteer Academy Graduation for 19 volunteers at Palmdale City Hall.
Eight of the 19 volunteers will be stationed at the Antelope Valley CHP office, and the remaining 11 will be stationed at the Mojave CHP office.
The volunteers completed a two-week course, learning how to assist CHP officers in both administrative and field duties. Volunteers took courses in subjects such as driving, CPR, first aid, traffic control, road closure techniques and radio procedures.
Their typical office duties will include assisting school bus officers with fingerprinting applicants and administering written examinations; processing foreign registration forms; assisting the public information officer; and miscellaneous clerical tasks.
Typical field duties for the local senior volunteers will include responding to complaints regarding abandoned vehicles and parking concerns; traffic complaint assistance by providing patrol vehicle presence; traffic control assistance at long-term incidents such as natural disasters; and deploying radar trailers.
“Senior volunteers play an integral part in our department,” stated Southern Division Assistant Chief Chris O’Quinn. “They exemplify a generation that distinguishes themselves as hard-working, trustworthy and active members of our society. We are pleased to have them work alongside both our uniformed and non-uniform members of our department.”
In attendance at the local Senior Volunteer Academy Graduation were Assistant Chief C. O’Quinn, Antelope Valley CHP Commander G. Jacobs, Lt. Broneer, Mojave CHP Lieutenant J. Irigoyen, Sergeant J. Williams, and Officer D. Dotson. Also in attendance were Donna Termeer, district director for Senator Sharon Runner’s Office, and Lisa Moulton, district director for Congressman Steve Knight’s Office.
Local residents interested in becoming CHP Senior Volunteers should contact the Antelope Valley area office at 661-948-8541.
The minimum requirements for eligibility include:
- No felony convictions.
- Available to volunteer during office hours.
- Willing to perform various duties as assigned.
- Able to work with minimal supervision in an office-type setting.
At least 50 years of age.
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