June 26, 2002

CONTACT:
Linda Simmons Hight
Media Relations Director
Church of Scientology International
6331 Hollywood Blvd. Suite 1200
Los Angeles, CA 90028-6329
Phone (323) 960-3500
Fax (323) 960-3508
E-mail mediarelationsdir@scientology.net
or
Kelly Jaroff
Church of Scientology of Arizona
(480) 833-0610
cofsphoenix@earthlink.net
Related website: www.volunteerminister.org

SCIENTOLOGY VOLUNTEER MINISTERS ON HAND TO GIVE ‘SPIRITUAL FIRST-AID’ TO FIRE FIGHTERS AT RODEO-CHEDISKI

Shock, exhaustion and injury are common enemies of fire fighters in disasters such as the Rodeo-Chediski fires. Days and nights on the fire lines take their toll on these brave men and women, and they are the last to ask for help.

Scientology Volunteer Ministers work behind the scenes to help those who help others. Volunteers from Arizona, New Mexico and California, including a team who served at Ground Zero after 9/11/01, are offering “spiritual first-aid” to fire fighters and other first responders to the disastrous fires.

The Volunteer Ministers specialize in administering simple but powerful procedures called “assists” to fire fighters and others. These orient an exhausted or injured person to his present environment and enable him to recover quickly and return to the task at hand.

“The fire fighters are saving lives every minute they are on the job,” said Tom Ashworth, Volunteer Minister coordinator for Arizona. “We will freely provide our assistance for as long as needed. The bravery of the fire fighters is awesome and inspiring.”

The Arizona Volunteer Ministers mobilized shortly after the fires started and later called for reinforcement from neighboring states. Teams trained and certified to quickly and effectively deal with spiritual trauma as well as to provide practical assistance are on the scene in Navajo and Apache counties.

The Scientology Volunteer Ministers Corps is 25 years old this year. More than 800 Volunteer Ministers served at Ground Zero in New York, assisting rescue workers for many weeks after the disaster.

Since September 11, nearly 6,000 Scientologists have enrolled in the Volunteer Minister training program, bringing the total worldwide to more than 15,000. Volunteer Ministers are networked through the Internet, which makes it possible to respond rapidly to emergencies as well as to assist with regular ministerial needs in their own communities.

The Scientology Volunteer Minister, developed by L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology religion, was launched in 1977 to enable individuals from all walks of life to provide practical assistance to help people deal with problems they encounter in their lives.

More information on the Volunteer Ministers program and its 25th anniversary this year is available at www.volunteerminister.org or by calling 1-800-HELP-4-YU.