Emergency Support Services | Central Okanagan Emergency Operations

About Emergency Support Services

Emergency Support Services (ESS) may provide basic support, such as accommodation, food, and clothing to people evacuated during an emergency event. If you have home or tenant’s insurance, please contact your insurance provider about coverage for living expenses during evacuations.

If you have been evacuated and need ESS, register for Evacuation, Registration and Assistance (ERA) online at ess.gov.bc.ca. We encourage you to get the BC Services Card app, which is a digital ID for your mobile device and may help you receive faster service (e.g. direct deposits) when registering for ERA. If you need support setting up the app before you register for ESS call 1-888-356-2741.

There are eligibility requirements for accessing ESS and the supports provided are determined by a case to case basis. Services may be available for an extended period and services may include:

Primary services - temporary lodging, food, clothing and incidentals (e.g. toiletries).
Specialized services - emotional support, health services (e.g. first aid), pet care and transportation.

ESS volunteers

The ESS team relies on volunteers. Through training, mentorship and practice, our dedicated and compassionate ESS volunteers are ready to provide short-term essential needs to those impacted in an emergency.

What do ESS volunteers do?

The Central Okanagan Emergency Management ESS team relies on volunteers. Their aid is invaluable for responding to the needs of people during an emergency. Services may include:

Making arrangements for temporary services to evacuees through pre-arranged community suppliers (e.g. restaurants, grocery and clothing stores, hotels, etc.)
Adapt pre-arranged facilities into reception centres for a muster point where evacuees can gather to receive information and assistance.
Adapt pre-arranged facilities into group lodging if the emergency requires lodging for a large number of evacuees.
Provide emergency preparedness education to the public and community organizations.
Meet monthly (between September to June) and take various training courses.

Major tasks of the ESS team

Recruit and train volunteers and staff.
Identify suitable facilities for use as reception centres and group lodging.
Establish links with key emergency responders and non-government disaster agencies.
Develop relationships with local businesses and organizations to supply goods and services during emergencies.

Basic requirements to become an ESS volunteer

Transportation

Emergencies can happen anywhere at any time. ESS volunteers must have their own transportation to attend where needed.

Training

Volunteers must be willing to attend meetings and training in a variety of areas to ensure that we can provide the necessary assistance to evacuees. Training is offered online and in classroom settings. When an event occurs, our trained members take the lead in offering help to their communities.

Phone and email

Volunteer coordinators or ESS director must be able to easily contact volunteers for updates and training.

Personal attributes

Volunteers should be flexible, responsible, accountable and physically and emotional capable of handling the demands placed on them during emergencies. The Provincial Emergency Program, of which ESS is a part, uses an Incident Command process to communicate, allocate resources and make decisions. All volunteers need to be comfortable working under this structure, which is critical to efficient operations during emergencies.

Meetings

The ESS Team meets monthly through September to June.

How do I join?

Find out how to join and give back to your community.

Watch the video: https://youtu.be/ablFwN5kbBA?si=PIpt-2vlMHh4rZJO