1) What happens if the pager goes off during a worship service?

No problem. If it goes off on my next turn as primary, I’ll take the next opportunity in the service to phone the police department and ask them to page the secondary (there are several pastors who don’t have services on Sunday morning who are available). Or, if it’s close to the end, I’ll let them know I’m coming in 10 or 15 minutes.

2) What exactly do Peta luma Police Chaplains do?

We serve the Police and Fire Departments and the hospital by helping them during times of crisis.

This includes going to the hospital emergency room when a patient has died or is dying and the family needs care (probably the most common occurrence).

We may also be called to a home or to the scene of an accident to help family or other bystanders who have been emotionally impacted from the event. This could be a car crash, a suicide or even a major disaster. We stay at the scene until the Coroner arrives so that the police or fire personnel are freed up to do their jobs. We also do death notifications.

Probably, most of you don’t know about the Chaplaincy because you’ve never needed it services, and that’s a good thing!

3) How much do Chaplains get paid?

In this case, nothing. It’s a volunteer service that about 10 pastors perform for the city. We are official representatives of the City of Petaluma and are trained in our duties, but like God’s grace — it’s all free!

Rejoicing with you in the opportunities to serve God in our city,

Pastor Bill Linton