BAY MINETTE, Ala. — First responders such as police officers, firefighters and EMTs (emergency medical technicians) often see traumatic things in their line of work, from fatal car accidents to domestic disputes that have gone horribly wrong to brutal murders.

Though this is something they know they may encounter when they put on the uniform, that knowledge does not make the sights, sounds and smells any easier to deal with.

Those officers now have a new outlet for their frustrations, concerns and fears in the implementation of the Police Chaplain Program.

The fledgling program was the brainchild of Rev. Robert Gates, pastor of the Evangel Assembly of God church in Foley.

"It was something that was not being done and something I had the time and desire to do," Gates said. "I talked to the chief and it was something he was interested in finding out more about."

The reverend has been added to the police force's auxiliary program, allowing him to ride with officers and be present during calls.

"He won't carry a weapon and he's not going to be involved in enforcement," Bay Minette Police Chief Michael Rowland said.

"On a call he can go out to the scene, whether on an accident with serious injuries, a suicide or attempted suicide, any situation where someone could use the benefit of a religious person," Rowland said.

"He's not going to push religion off on anyone. Sometimes people need someone to talk to, sometimes we need someone to talk to. Everything will be confidential, sometimes you need to talk to someone outside the department and you don't want it to get around the department," Rowland said.

The program is non-denominational, and Gates said any minister interested is invited to participate.

"I think Mrs. Pam (Thompson, department secretary) has already sent letters out to all the churches in the area for any ministers who are interested in being involved," he said.

Though he has only been on the job a few weeks, Gates has already put his pastoral skills to use.

"I was able to be involved in the suicide last Monday," he said. "I was able to be utilized in that situation."

Rowland said his officers are not the only ones who will benefit from this program.

"Pastor Gates will be able to serve his congregation better and he'll be able to serve the city better by seeing what we go through and what we're dealing with," he said.

In addition to the experiences Gates will have as an auxiliary officer, he and his wife are also going through the Citizen Police Academy in order to get a better feel for how the police department works and what the officers do and how they do it.

Gates said he hopes to be a source of encouragement for all officers, including firefighters and other city employees.

"Whether they need a sounding board or to talk about something they've seen or been through," he said. "Hopefully (the program) will help the officers to do their job more effectively and any help we can give them to do that.

"In a nutshell, we want to serve in whatever capacity we can, whether it's getting them a drink or helping them through a situation."