What Services are Provided?
Your Local Community is Here to Help
British Columbians forced from their homes by fire, floods, earthquakes or other emergencies may receive emergency support services for up to 72 hours. Services may include food, lodging, clothing, emotional support, information about the crisis, and family reunification. There may also be special services like first aid, child minding, pet care and transportation.Under the Emergency Program Act, municipalities, First Nations communities and regional districts are responsible for responding to emergencies in their areas, including providing emergency support services.
Emergency Support Services (ESS) help preserve the well-being of British Columbians during or immediately following an emergency. The ESS program helps people affected by large emergencies, but may also assist during smaller emergencies such as house fires or disasters affecting a few members of a community.
Did You Know?
When people are forced to evacuate their homes, the ESS program will often direct them to Reception Centres or Group Lodging facilities.
ESS is offered for up to 72 hours but it can be available for longer, depending on the emergency and the length of an evacuation order.
Read more about Reception Centres.
Whether or not Group Lodging is opened depends on many factors including the size of the emergency, the availability of commercial lodgings and the number of responders.
Read more about Group Lodging.
Reception Centres
A Reception Centre is a safe place where people can go to receive:- Information about the emergency;
- Assistance meeting their basic needs; and
- Help planning their recovery from the disaster.
ESS is offered for up to 72 hours but it can be available for longer, depending on the emergency and the length of an evacuation order.
Read more about Reception Centres.
Primary Services - Food, Clothing and Lodging
Reception Centres provide evacuees with:- Meals if they are without food or food preparation facilities;
- Clothing, blankets and toiletries;
- Temporary lodging if they are unable to find lodging for themselves; and
- Assistance finding and re-uniting with loved ones.
Specialized Services - Health Services, Child-Minding and Transportation
Reception Centres may provide specialized services, including:- Emotional support;
- First aid and other health services;
- Child minding;
- Pet care; and
- Transportation.
Group Lodging
Group Lodging is a safe place where people can go to:- Sleep and eat;
- Receive specialized care, including multicultural services and transportation; and
- Health services such as first aid and emotional support.
Whether or not Group Lodging is opened depends on many factors including the size of the emergency, the availability of commercial lodgings and the number of responders.
Read more about Group Lodging.