Emergency Social Services

Emergency Social Services provides short-term assistance to British Columbians who are forced to leave their homes because of fire, floods, earthquakes or other emergencies. This assistance includes food, lodging, clothing, emotional support and family reunification. Read more >>

British Columbia Search and Rescue

Annually, Search and Rescue volunteers in B.C. respond to over 1000 searches province-wide. Volunteer responders donate over 120,000 hours of their time on callouts and recent statistics show an astounding 95% of the subjects were found. Read more >>

Six dedicated emergency volunteers were honoured at the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General’s annual emergency volunteer awards event on April 28, 2007.

Each year, emergency volunteers from across B.C. are nominated in one of the five categories. This year the following individuals and organizations were recognized for outstanding service. For more information about this year's recipients, Click here >>

Click to enlarge photo

From left to right:

Public Safety Lifeline Volunteer
Years of Service Pins

We are pleased to announce that pins are now available to recognize years of service contributed by PEP registered volunteers within the Public Safety Lifeline. The pins are available in five year increments (5 - 35 years) for Emergency Social Services, Emergency Radio, Search and Rescue, Road Rescue and PEP Air. Click here >> to learn more about ordering pins for your team.


Referrals Unit Online

An online course offering, Emergency Social Services British Columbia Emergency Management System is intended for volunteers and others who share the common goal of assisting people in an emergency. The online version provides increased accessibility and is available. Click here >>

Announcing the launch of a new Online ESS resource. The Referrals Unit Online is intended as a resource for ESS team volunteers and others who would perform the role of Referrals Unit Supervisor or Worker when providing services to people affected by a disaster or emergency. Read more >>

There's lots more to tell! Look over these articles about PEP and the volunteer programs:

• Volunteers at the Heart of Disaster Response (PDF)
  
  
• Fast Facts about PEP Volunteers (PDF)

 
Of Interest to PEP Volunteers

Volunteer ID Cards
The ability for a volunteer to identify him/herself to persons in authority at an emergency site is critical to the performance of their duties. PEP volunteers include Search & Rescue, Emergency Social Services, PEP Air, Radio Communications and Highway Rescue. The Provincial Emergency Program (PEP) provides emergency response volunteers with an official identity card. Group/team leaders and volunteers can review the application process prior to submitting a registration.

PEP Policies
The PEP Policy Manual and Bulletins are held by PEP Regional Offices and may be provided to the coordinators of volunteer groups.

Forms
A variety of up-to-date forms available for download in Adobe Acrobat format.

WCB, Insurance & Liability Protection for Volunteers
Web format (HTML) Adobe Acrobat (PDF) - Ready-to-print 4-fold brochure; use 8 1/2 x 14 "legal" paper.

Emergency Services Volunteers Injury, Disability, Accidental Death, Liability and General Insurance Coverage (2002)
Information supplemental to the above brochure on WCB, Insurance & Liability Protection for Volunteers.

• British Columbia Search and Rescue Association
  
  
• British Columbia Cave Rescue
  
  
• Emergency Social Services Links
  
  
• Greater Victoria Municipal Amateurs Coordinators Committee (GVMACC)
  
  
• Provincial Emergency Radio Communications
  Service (PERCS)