Dear Thetis Island,
Some of you may be aware that Emergency Social Services on Thetis Island is currently leaderless. ESS is part of the BC Emergency Management System and operates under the authority of CVRD Emergency Management. The role of ESS on Thetis Island is to provide resources in an emergency and to help with temporary (72 hour) relief e.g., a house fire.
The CVRD Emergency Prep Workbook also describes the role of ESS on page 80 :
https://www.cvrd.ca/DocumentCenter/View/84184/MIECM-Emergency-Preparedness-Workbook---2017?bidId= Although this describes a more extensive role than Thetis volunteers have dealt with (thankfully), all ESS volunteers are trained to register individuals and families in emergencies. This provides access to resources such as accommodation, food, clothing etc., and in some circumstances to aid in family re-unification after a disaster. ESS Volunteers on Thetis Island are intended to help First Responders whose hands are already full by providing these support services. Although the major reception centers have staff that fill some ESS roles, ESS is largely community-based and volunteer-staffed. Training is provided in advance by CVRD and can be acquired online through the Justice Institute, although in-person training is available from time to time. You might be the right person to help lighten the load by taking on ESS. It's not that scary. Definitely not as scary as fire-fighting. If you can help, please contact April Diver at CVRD April.Diver@cvrd.bc.ca Many thanks.
Forbes Hall is a designated Emergency Reception Center that ESS opens when required and when a task # is assigned via Emergency Management.
Most Thetis Islanders are aware of the vital role our VOLUNTEER First Responders play and are reminded when heartfelt thank you’s are posted on E-spokes.