Emergency Support Services

In this article, we are going to address the topic of Emergency Support Services, which has gained relevance in recent times due to its importance in our current society. Emergency Support Services has generated a great debate and has aroused the interest of many people, due to its impact on different areas of daily life. Throughout this article, we will explore various aspects related to Emergency Support Services, from its origin to its impact today, with the aim of analyzing in depth its meaning and influence on our society. In addition, we will examine different perspectives and opinions on Emergency Support Services, in order to offer a complete and objective view of the topic. Join us on this journey of discovery and analysis about Emergency Support Services!

Emergency Support Services (formerly known as Emergency Social Services) (ESS) is a component of Emergency Management British Columbia. As of March 2023, EMBC became part of the B.C. Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness[1] ESS are those services required to preserve the well-being of people affected by an emergency or disaster. Teams are established in local municipalities and assemble together for meetings and contingency planning.

Provisions

Although ESS is designed to provide services to individuals affected by large complex disasters or emergencies, ESS may also be provided during smaller emergencies; for example, a single house fire or emergencies affecting 1 to 2 families in a community.

ESS provides temporary relief to individuals and families so they can begin to plan their next steps to recover after a disaster.

ESS provides primary services such as: food, lodging, clothing, family reunification. It may also provide specialized services such as: emotional support services; first aid; child minding; pet care; and transportation services.

ESS teams assist people affected by disaster, usually at Reception Centres which may be located at the local community centre, recreation centre, church, or school.

ESS teams may also provide services in the following settings: outreach services to those unable to leave their homes; mass care (lodging and feeding) to evacuees during a major disaster; on-site services to response workers and others.

Regions

British Columbia is Canada's third largest province, and its most mountainous. EMBC divides the province into regions for manageability reasons.

  • Vancouver Island Region: covers the Island, and much of the coastal region of the corresponding mainland including the following regions:
    • Victoria Capital
    • Cowichan Valley
    • Nanaimo
    • Alberni - Clayoquot
    • Powell River
    • Comox - Strathcona
    • Mount Waddington
  • South West region: is the most populated, and includes the Lower Mainland and the Fraser Valley, and it includes
  • Central Region: takes in the Thompson-Okanagan area and parts of the Columbia-Shuswap
    • Thompson - Nicola
    • Okanagan - Similkameen
    • Central Okanagan
    • North Okanagan
    • Squamish - Lillooet (only including the communities of: Birken, Bralorne, Gold Bridge, Pavilion, Lillooet, Seton Portage, Shalalth)
    • Columbia - Shuswap (only the area including the communities of: Anglemont, Falkland, Salmon Arm, Sicamous, Canoe, Malakwa, Sorrento, Tappen)
  • South East Region: includes the Kootenays and most of the Columbia-Shuswap
    • Kootenay Boundary
    • Central Kootenay
    • East Kootenay
    • Columbia - Shuswap (not including the communities of: Anglemont, Falkland, Salmon Arm District, Sicamous, Canoe, Malakwa, Sorrento, Tappen)
  • North East Region: the second largest, comprises the North Coast, including Haida Gwaii, Skeena, Bulkley–Nechako, and along the Alaska and Yukon borders.
    • Northern Rockies
    • Peace River
    • Fraser - Fort George
    • Cariboo
    • Central Coast
  • North West Region: the largest in the province, takes in the Peace River Country, Cariboo and Central Coast
    • Stikine
    • Kitimat - Stikine
    • Bulkley - Nechako
    • Skeena - Queen Charlotte

Volunteers' powers, privileges and recognition

  • Volunteers are allowed to use the Disaster Response Route when on duty[2]
  • Under Section 27(1b) of the Emergency Program Act, a person commits an offence who interferes with or obstructs any person in the exercise of any power or the performance of any duty conferred or imposed by this Act or the regulations is liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than one year or to a fine of not more than $10 000 or to both imprisonment and fine. This provision has been transferred to section 139 of the B.C. Emergency and Disaster Management Act (Bill 31) which received Royal Assent on November 8, 2023.[3][4]
  • Civil liability exemption under the B.C. Emergency and Disaster Management Act (Bill 31) and WorkSafeBC coverage are both provided for any Public Safety Lifeline Volunteers.[5] Section 30 provides more detail.[6]
  • B.C.’s Good Samaritan Act applies to all volunteers (unless grossly negligent)[7]
  • Training from the provincial, regional and municipal governments.
  • Special annual awards night.

Note

Only persons over the age of 16 may sign up to become a volunteer. Persons aged 16–18 must have parental consent. There is no maximum age limit.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness - Province of British Columbia".
  2. ^ "Disaster Response Routes - Province of British Columbia".
  3. ^ "New emergency management legislation, task force pave way for resilient communities | BC Gov News". 3 October 2023.
  4. ^ https://www.leg.bc.ca/parliamentary-business/legislation-debates-proceedings/42nd-parliament/4th-session/votes-and-proceedings/v231108 [bare URL]
  5. ^ "Public safety volunteers - Province of British Columbia".
  6. ^ https://www.leg.bc.ca/parliamentary-business/legislation-debates-proceedings/42nd-parliament/4th-session/bills/first-reading/gov31-1 [bare URL]
  7. ^ "Good Samaritan Act".