Clayton Balsley wants to be there to help people when they need it the most.

Balsley volunteers for the Freeborn County Community Crisis Response Team. The crisis response team helps community members when there has been a disaster or some other traumatic experience.

The crisis response team will go to an area around 24-72 hours after a crisis and let people know that there will be a meeting to help people talk about their feelings. The meetings are only open to people who have been affected by the tragedy.

Balsley meets a few times a year with the other members of the team to touch base and to continue training for future situations. He also carries a pager two months out of the year. The team is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Balsley thinks a community needs to come together in a rough time to help each other out.

&uot;As a community goes through a disaster, there is a need for that support from other people,&uot; he said. &uot;It only makes sense that we help each other.&uot;

If you are interested in volunteering for the Freeborn County Community Crisis Response Team or would like more information, call Rose at 377-5461.