WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE ESS OFFICE?

The Emergency Management BC's (EMBC) ESS Office provides provincial level support for local authorities who are responsible for planning, and responding to, emergencies and disasters where short-term emergency social services are required.

The ESS Office works alongside other provincial ministries and non-government organizations, to coordinate provicial level resources in support of the delivery of ESS across British Columbia by local authorities.

EMBC and the ESS Office support local authorities by:

• coordinating the ESS training program;
• developing provincial policies and procedures;
• providing a framework, including guidelines, standards and best practices, for use by local authorities and the ESS training program;
• develop and maintain relationships with ESS Support Organizations;
• the processing of invoices for lodging, food, clothing and other necessary expenses administered by community ESS teams during an emergency;
• providing provincial support during a major disaster; and
• negotiating federal and provincial ESS mutual aid in the event of a catastrophic disaster.

Page Updated: 2013 January 14