Overview

Emergency Social Services ( ESS ) Volunteers : help to provide 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.

When is ESS provided: Although ESS is designed to provide services to individuals affected by large complex disasters or emergencies, ESS may also be provided during smaller emergencies; for example a single house fire or emergencies affecting 1 to 2 families in a community

Becoming a Volunteer:   ESS volunteers are a dedicated group who respond to provide short term disaster relief in emergencies.  A commitment of approximately 8-12 hours a month is required for training, and meetings. We offer a great program that allows individuals to train in personal preparedness and in a number of courses which are geared toward specific ESS functions.

 

 

Requirements/skills

 

ESS Volunteer Requirements

Emergency Social Services is based on volunteerism, and is dependent on the willingness of individuals in the community to help plan for the well-being of their neighbours and fellow citizens in the event of a disaster.

Langley needs people who are:

• 18 years and older
• have a concern for people affected by disaster, and want to help
• have good communication skills
• are able to respond on short notice
• are flexible and work well as part of a team
• are in good health
• have a sense of adventure
• are willing to train/learn

We feel everyone has something to contribute.

 

Application Process

How to become a Langley ESS Volunteer 

To become a member of the Langley ESS team you must fill out three forms; The Volunteer Application Form, and two Criminal Record Check Forms (please click on links below to download and print):

The Volunteer Application Form  - This form must be completed front and reverse, signed and returned to the Langley Emergency Program at the City of Langley Fire Rescue Services , 5785 203rd St.  

 The Criminal Records Check, Form 1 and Form 2 - These forms must be taken with ID to any Langley Community Policing Office, or the Langley RCMP detachment at 22180 48A Avenue.  There is no charge to you for the search.

Once your application and criminal record checks have been received by The Langley Emergency Program, you will be contacted and we will make arrangements to meet with you, give you a copy of the Langley ESS Handbook, and take a picture for your ESS ID badge.  Please be patient as it does take some time to process the paperwork.

Training

ESS Training Opportunities 

Please click on the following to see Langley's certification requirments: 

ESS Certification Requirments

 

---

 

 

Introduction to Emergency Social Services (Module 1 Basic ESS , Module 2 Personal Preparedness for ESS Workers): This introductory course provides an overview of Emergency Social Services ( ESS ) for new ESS workers.  

 

Reception Centre Course: This course provides an overview of the functions, staffing and planning of a Reception Centre. Participants will also have the opportunity to set-up a Reception Centre.  

 

Registration & Referrals: This course describes the process for registering evacuees and for providing evacuees with referrals for food, clothing and lodging.  It also teaches interviewing skills. 

 

Documentation Unit: This course is intended to provide ESS workers with the knowledge and skills necessary to work within the Documentation Unit in a Reception Centre. You will learn how to identify the forms, supplies, materials and equipment required to set-up, and run a Documentation Unit.

 

Managing Walk-In Disaster Volunteers : This course is intended to provide participants with the knowledge and skills of managing large numbers of "untrained" walk-in disaster volunteers.  Participants will have the opportunity to set-up a Volunteer/Staff Management Branch workstation. 

 

Group Lodging Course:  This course is intended to provide participants with the knowledge and skills required to work in, or manage, a Group Lodging facility including; identifying key functions and/or services, identifying planning/operational tasks, and addressing challenges that may arise.

 

ESS Resource Acquisition:  This course is intended to provide participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage three primary resources: food, clothing and lodging.

 

ESS Leadership Course:  This course will focus on generic leadership skills such as: leadership styles, leadership skills (conflict management, communications, giving and receiving, feedback, motivation, problem solving, decision making and group dynamics), how to conduct meetings (briefings, debriefings, and orientations).

 

ESS Directors Course:  This course provides an overview of the ESS Program, including the organizational structure, and the functions of the ESS team and relationship to other emergency management organizations.  Roles and responsibilities of the ESS Director (ESSD) and other members of the ESS team will be covered.

 

Neighbourhood Rapid Damage Assessment: This course will allow participants to identify UNSAFE conditions in a single family, and multi-family wood frame homes that would prevent safe occupancy following an earthquake and to conduct a safe post-earthquake building evacuation.  Participants will also be able to identify steps that can be taken to make structural and non-structural components safer from the effects of seismic motion.

 

Emergency First Aid:  Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to: identify signs and symptoms of certain injuries, treat shock, choking (adult), minor wounds, burns, severe bleeding, and eye injuries.  Participants will also be able to: perform artificial respiration, perform one person cardiopulmonary resuscitation (adult) and manage an emergency scene.

 

Inquiry, Search and Reply:  This course provides training on the process of family reunification.  Its focus is on processing completed registrations and inquires, matching registrations and inquires so that inquirers can be notified that their loved ones have survived a disaster.

 

Meet and Greet: This workshop is offered to those persons on the ESS and Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services ( EDS ) teams with Meet & Greet responsibilities. The purpose of the workshop is to provide participants with the knowledge and skills to welcome someone affected by disaster at a Reception Centre and direct them to the appropriate function for required services.

 

Emotional Support :  This workshop is offered to those persons on the ESS and Salvation Army ( EDS ) teams who have completed the Meet and Greet Workshop.  The purpose of the workshop is to provide participants with the knowledge and skills to walk with someone affected by disaster and begin the recovery process while assessing their need for further support.

 

Food Safe: This course will help participants to work safely and to prevent food borne illness.