Emergency Support Services (ESS)

Visit ess.gov.bc.ca for assistance if you have been evacuated.

What Is Emergency Support Services?

Emergency Support Services (ESS) volunteers provide services that preserve the emotional and physical well-being of survivors and response workers in an emergency. They include, but are not limited to, reception, food services, lodging, clothing, registration and inquiry, personal, and financial services”. Like search and rescue and several other types of volunteer groups, ESS is recognized as a Public Safety Lifeline (PSL) organization by the Government of BC.

ESS typically does not provide services to emergency survivors itself; rather ESS refers emergency survivors to businesses, such as hotels, grocery stores, and restaurants, which have volunteered to participate in the ESS program. The Government of BC then reimburses businesses for the supports that they provide. Over the past few years, ESS has increasingly used Interac e-Transfers in lieu of referrals to specific businesses in order to assist emergency survivors.

ESS may be activated in response to events ranging from a small housefire to a large-scale evacuation. ESS typically only provides supports to emergency survivors for up to 72 hours; however, the BC Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness may authorize supports to be provided for longer if necessary.

The City of Merritt’s ESS program is called Merritt and Nicola Valley ESS and is led jointly by the City of Merritt Emergency Program Coordinator and a volunteer ESS Director.

View the Emergency Support Services Plan

Join the Merritt and Nicola Valley ESS Team!

The Merritt and Nicola Valley ESS team meets at the Merritt Cadet Hall (1755 Coldwater Ave) at 7:00 pm on the third Tuesday of the month from September to June.

ESS Volunteer Requirements:

- Be 16 years of age or older
- Be willing and able to respond to occasional ESS activations (activations may take place late at night or on weekends or holidays)
- Be willing and able to take part in ESS training
- Be willing and able to reliably attend monthly ESS meetings
- Pass a criminal record check including a vulnerable sector check

How to Apply

Please fill out the following application form and return it to Merritt City Hall located at 2185 Voght St, Merritt, BC V1K 1B8 or send the completed form to ess@merritt.ca.

Download Application

ESS for Businesses

Businesses that have chosen to participate in the ESS program and process ESS referrals are referred to as ESS suppliers. Merritt ESS suppliers include many local hotels, grocery stores, and restaurants as well as a variety of other businesses. The City of Merritt is extremely grateful for the important support that these suppliers provide to the ESS program.

The best way for ESS suppliers to be reimbursed for goods and services that they provide is to submit receipts, invoices, and ESS referral forms through the online Evacuee Registration & Assistance (ERA) Supplier Invoice and Receipt submission tool. The Government of BC will then review submitted paperwork and issue reimbursement payments.

The Government of BC has published a Guide for ESS Suppliers (PDF) that overviews the procedures and policies that are relevant to this reimbursement process. Suppliers may also contact essfinanceinquiries@gov.bc.ca for additional information or assistance.

To express interest in supporting the Merritt ESS program as a supplier or to submit an enquiry regarding ESS supplier reimbursement as it relates to Merritt, please contact ess@merritt.ca.

CONTACT ESS