Emergency Social Services - Emergency Support Services (ESS) Level 2 Volunteer Responder
Volunteer Position Overview
Emergency Support Services (ESS) is designed to provide immediate support to people affected by disasters. ESS offers short-term assistance including shelter, food, clothing and family reunification to evacuees displaced from their homes.
In Surrey, the ESS Level 2 program (supporting larger-scale emergencies) is delivered by staff and assisted by volunteers who connect directly with evacuees at temporary reception centres in City facilities. ESS level 2 activations happen on average once a year. Training sessions, including mock scenarios, will be provided regularly.
PLEASE NOTE: THE AGE REQUIREMENT FOR THIS VOLUNTEER POSITION IS 18+
Duties and Responsibilities
There are a variety of volunteer roles and tasks in the ESS level 2 activations, including:
- Greeting evacuees at reception centres, creating a welcoming and inclusive environment
- Assisting with connecting affected individuals with further resources and support services, including mental health support, medical care and financial assistance
- Registering, or assisting evacuees to register themselves, and providing them with referrals for basic needs
- Providing comfort for evacuees
- Set-up and take-down of reception centres or group lodging facilities
- Engaging with the community to help raise awareness about ESS
- Assisting with various administrative tasks
Volunteers will be assigned roles and tasks according to their training, ability and comfort level. Comprehensive training will be provided.
Benefits of Volunteering
Helping Others: Provide critical support during emergencies. Contribute to disaster recovery and community resilience. Gain a sense of purpose and satisfaction.
Training Opportunities and Skill Development: Receive specialized training in ESS response, communication and leadership skills.
Networking: Connect with other volunteers with the same objective
Personal Growth: Foster resilience and a deeper understanding of community dynamics
Sense of Community: Strengthen ties and foster camaraderie
Career Advancement: Enhance your resume with valuable experience
Support and Training
During an activation, ESS level 2 Volunteers will perform duties at a Reception Centre or a Group Lodging Centre, supervised and supported by City of Surrey staff members.
- Free ESS responder training is provided by the Justice Institute of BC (JIBC)
- Ongoing orientation and training will be provided by City of Surrey staff
- There will be opportunities to take part in live mock training sessions throughout the year
Location/Working Condition and Time Commitment
- This volunteer role will be performed indoors at City of Surrey facilities (e.g., recreation centres)
- Volunteers in this role will be assisting evacuees who may have experienced significant loss. Volunteers may encounter challenging interactions, which can be emotionally demanding
- Callouts are unpredictable and may occur any day of the week and at any hour
- A minimum of 3 hours a year of training or volunteering is required to maintain a current accepted volunteer status
Training Requirements
There are no pre-requirements for this position, however completion of the following training components are required
- Justice Institute of Technology (JIBC) courses, including EMRG-1635 (Introduction to Evacuee Registration and Supports) - Free
-
City of Surrey - Communicable Disease Awareness Training – online (30 min); Service Provider Privacy Training – online (30 min) and ongoing in-house training for participants to stay updated on emergency response techniques and protocols
Qualifications: Knowledge, Abilities and Skills
Qualifications and skills that would be beneficial include:
- Ability to work under pressure
- Ability to interact effectively and compassionately with diverse populations under stressful conditions
- Ability to think critically
- Strong organizational skills to manage multiple tasks and responsibilities
- Comfortable working with computers and doing administrative tasks
- Flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances and ability to respond to unexpected challenges
- Ability to accept supervision and direction
- Team player and experience working in a team
- Flexible schedule; comfortable working any hour of the day
Application Process
Step #1 – Eligibility Requirements
To apply to be a volunteer in the Emergency Support Services volunteer program, you must be:
- 18 years or older
- Eligible to volunteer in Canada (check your travel documents, if applicable)
Step #2 – Apply
- Create an online application on MyImpactPage
- Submit two references
- Attend an interview
- Complete a Police Information Check
- Apply for Public Safety Lifeline Volunteer Registration and ID card – instructions will be provided by staff
This process can take up to 6 weeks, so we thank you for your diligence and patience.
Step #3 – Orientation and Training
Once you are accepted as a City of Surrey volunteer, you will be required to complete the following training before volunteering:
1. City of Surrey
- Communicable Disease Awareness Training – online (30 min)
- Service Provider Privacy Training – online (30 min)
- In-housing training
2. Justice Institute of BC courses – online (approximately 7 hours)
Step #4 – Volunteer
Upon the successful completion of the above orientation and training, you will be able to sign up for volunteer shifts.
We acknowledge the time involved in applying to volunteer for the Emergency Support Services Program and the extensive training requirement. This process, estimated at 10 hours, demonstrates our commitment to equip our volunteers to perform their volunteer duties successfully and safely. If you have any questions, please email ess2@surrey.ca.
Contact us:
Volunteer Resources – 1st Floor West, City Hall
604-598-5863
Volunteer@surrey.ca
