Emergency Support Services

You Are Not Alone in an Emergency

Emergency Support Services (ESS) are provided on a short-term basis (generally up to 72 hours) to preserve the emotional and physical well-being of evacuees and response workers in emergency situations.

ESS often depends on volunteers to plan and provide services, including:
  • Identifying locations for Reception Centres and Group Lodging;
  • Recruiting and training other volunteers;
  • Working with local businesses, service organizations and government agencies;
  • Housing and feeding people forced from their homes;
  • Connecting people forced from their homes with needed services; and
  • Supporting other emergency responders.
Each year about 5,000 British Columbians volunteer as emergency support service workers.

WHAT
IS THE ROLE
OF ESS?

WHAT SERVICES
ARE PROVIDED
BY ESS?

WHEN
IS ESS
PROVIDED?

WHO
IS ESS?

WHERE
IS ESS?