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
- Effective communication skills
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
