Emergency Support Services are provided when:
a. Only when an EMBC operational task number has been issued;
b. When access to a person’s insurance coverage is NOT reasonably and readily available;
c. Where a residence has been deemed as uninhabitable due to a hazard or occurrence;
d. To evacuees who reside within a defined evacuation area; or
e. For an initial 72 hours or for the duration of the evacuation order as issued by the legislated authority ordering the evacuation.
Please Note:
Evacuee: is a resident whose primary residence is directly impacted or in the defined geographic area of an evacuation order within the issuing authority’s jurisdiction.
Primary residence: is the dwelling where an individual or family spends most of their personal time. A person can only have one primary residence at any time.
Please note that if you’re able to support yourself for the first 72 hours of an emergency, you would not be eligible for ESS. Please click here to view the ESS policy.
Residents are encouraged to pre-register for the ESS program.
To pre-register follow these steps:
Step 1: Visit ess.gov.bc.ca
Step 2: Click 'Create Profile
Step 3: Follow the BC Services Card login and registration instructions
Evacuees register for ESS by following the instructions provided on their evacuation alert or order. This process can be different for each community. The local emergency program will determine if online or paper registration is available at the time of the emergency event.
Registration for the ESS program can also be done through curbside support or an open reception centre within or close to the community. If you're already evacuated, contact the Reception Centre outlined in your Evacuation Order to access supports.
Residents and evacuees can watch this video for more details.