They staff volunteer ambulance corps and paramedical groups, and provide first response to rescue people who are trapped or immobilized in some way. This even extends to the National Ski Patrol that offers aid on wintry mountain slopes. Volunteers are the silver lining in the cloud of disaster. Crime prevention is another focal point of volunteer activity. Volunteers directly support police departments by handling non-emergency police functions such as supporting juvenile diversion activities, assisting at parades and public ceremonies, and traffic control.
Volunteers also help in searches for missing persons.
Finally, civilian review boards monitor police department practices to ensure compliance with legal standards and human rights protections. In cases where crime could not be prevented, volunteers are also on hand to help the courts and the correctional system. Teen juries of youthful volunteers help in reaching dispositions for juvenile offenders, while adult volunteers staff arbitration boards. Volunteers assist victims of crime as they go through the legal process and give similar aid to crime witnesses who agree to testify. In prisons and correctional institutions, community volunteers visit inmates and act as activity leaders, instructors, lay ministers and counselors.