EMERGENCY SUPPORT SERVICES (ESS)

The Merritt and Nicola Valley Emergency Support Services (MNVESS) team is currently recruiting new volunteers! MNVESS volunteers provide short-term supports to people impacted by emergencies. MNVESS volunteers conduct extremely meaningful work and are highly valued by both the City of Merritt and by the people whom they assist.

What Is Emergency Support Services?

Emergency Support Services (ESS) is a volunteer organization that facilitates the delivery of basic supports, such as food and accommodations, to evacuees and other people who are impacted by emergencies. ESS volunteers typically do not provide these supports themselves but rather refer impacted persons to local businesses, such as hotels, grocery stores, and restaurants, that have chosen to register with 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 provide supports to people impacted by emergencies.

ESS may be activated in response to events ranging from small housefires to emergencies that prompt large-scale evacuations. ESS is generally intended to provide supports to impacted persons for up to 72 hours but may be authorized to provide supports for longer periods in exceptional circumstances.

ESS programs are maintained by numerous communities throughout BC. While ESS programs are typically managed locally, they are heavily supported by the Government of BC and are a Government of BC Public Safety Lifeline Volunteer (PSLV) program. The City of Merritt ESS program is called Merritt and Nicola Valley ESS and is led jointly by a volunteer ESS Director and the City of Merritt Emergency Management Coordinator.

View Merritt & Nicola Valley Emergency Support Services Plan (PDF)

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.