Fall 2011 Newsletter

Regional ESS Teamwork During the 2011 Peace Region Flood

It rained. It poured. It flooded.

Between June 23 - 25 more than 150 mm of rain fell in the western part
of the Peace River Region. At just over 120,000 square kilometres, the
Peace River Regional District (PRRD) is the largest regional district in
British Columbia. Both the region’s scale and the speed of the onset of this weather event made it challenging to meet the Emergency Social Service (ESS) needs of the residents affected.

Full article can be found on page 6.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Sheraton Wall Centre
Pt. McNeill Room,
4th floor, North Tower 1088 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC

All member communities are permitted two voting delegates. All Emergency Social Services (ESS) volunteers are welcome to attend. 

Proposed amendments to the ESSA Constitution & Bylaws must be mailed to PO Box 50029, South Slope RPO, Burnaby, BC V5J 5G3 or emailed to info@essa.ca (Subject: Constitution Amendment), and must reach the ESSA office no later than November 19, 2011.  

Exercise

ESSA is a non-profit association established to support Emergency Social Services (ESS) volunteers and communities in British Columbia in the development and maintenance of their ESS program. ESSA is not an Emergency Response Organization.

ESSA's role is to provide assistance to more than 5,000 community ESS volunteers around the province through a variety of programs. These ESS volunteers are the people who respond when disasters occur and their fellow citizens' lives are disrupted.  When these events occur, community emergency plans kick into action.  Teams of local ESS volunteers are activated to provide victims and evacuees with food, lodging, clothing and emotional support - services that are essential to their emotional and physical well-being - for up to 72 hours.

Recognize

Through our newsletter, the annual ESS Conference and representation at a variety of provincial conferences, ESSA actively promotes recognition of the work of ESS Volunteers around the province.

Train

ESSA contributes to the ongoing education and awareness of ESS volunteers through a variety of free seminars and workshops held annually in all parts of the province. The Association also publishes a quarterly newsletter to share information on new developments, upcoming events, and policy and procedural changes. The website has a learning section which highlights training opportunities.

Respond

ESSA offers direction to its members. The Association is the voice of ESS volunteers around the province and carries their concerns about issues and preparedness to municipal councils and to the provincial government.