Emergency Social Services(ESS) provides 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.During such emergencies, ESS staff is responsible for the opening of a reception center to facilitate the following:■Register evacuees with the Red Cross to help reunite families. ■Provide referrals for food, clothing and shelter, as funded by the Provincial Emergency Program. ■Provide personal services such as first aid, emotional support, counseling, basic health care and much more. ■Arrange group lodging if no commercial facilities are available.

Other groups that work with ESS are the Canadian Red Cross, the Salvation Army, SPCA, Canadian Disaster Animal Team, Noah’s Wish and First Nations Emergency Services (FNES).

During Emergency Preparedness Week, British Columbians are encouraged to take three simple steps to become better prepared to face a range of emergencies:

• Know the risks specific to your community.
• Develop a family emergency plan and practise it.
• Prepare emergency kits for your home and your vehicle.

To learn more about how you can be prepared for a disaster, visit the Emergency Management BC website at: www.pep.bc.ca

and the Public Safety Canada website at: www.getprepared.gc.ca