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  • Introduction
  • Modules
    • Module 1: Preparing To Be An ESS Responder
    • Module 2: ESS Overview
    • Module 3: ESS Responder Functions
    • Module 4: Scenario
  • Resources

Local Authority Requirements

Each local authority or regional district has basic requirements for becoming an ESS responder. Below are some general requirements, however, interested volunteers should contact their local authority or regional district for specific requirements.

  • Time Commitment

    These positions are on-call and generally volunteer, and the responder must be available for responding quickly with short notice.

    Meetings are generally once a month. Training is offered from September to June and it is recommended that responders attend the necessary training in order to ensure they are competent in performing their roles.

  • Transportation

    Some communities require ESS responders to have their own transport while communities that have more available public transportation do not have such a requirement.

  • Contact

    Depending on the community, responders need to be reached by either phone and/or text message for call outs, therefore a reliable method of contact is required.

  • Skills/Ability/Experience

    • Effective communication skills

       

    • Ability to assist others affected by disaster

       

    • Ability to be flexible and adaptable, and work well under potentially stressful situations

       

    • Ability to work in a team environment

       

    • Ability to fill out paperwork

       

    • Ability to keep information confidential and maintain the privacy of evacuees
  • Age

    See Provincial Requirements for minimum age for workers’ compensation and liability purposes. The minimum age ranges between 16 to 19.

  • Other Requirements

    Some communities prefer the following:

     

    • First Aid certification
    • FOODSAFE certification
    • Criminal Records Check

Module Menu

  • Module 3: ESS Responder Functions
    • ESS Responder Requirements
      • Local Authority Requirements
      • Provincial Requirements
    • Standards of Conduct for ESS Responders
      • Responsibilities of ESS Responders
      • Rights of ESS Responders
    • Public Safety Lifeline Volunteer Code of Conduct
    • ESS Call Out
      • Date and Time Recording
    • Reporting to Work
      • First-In
      • All ESS Responders
      • Worker Safety
      • Level One Response
      • Level Two or Three Response
      • After Your Assignment

About

  • About Us
  • Acknowledgements

Partners

  • JIBC Emergency Management Division
  • Emergency Management BC
Creative Commons License

Introduction to Reception Centres by Emergency Management BC (EMBC), in partnership with the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC) is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at https://www.jibc.ca/ess/