Bowen Island ESS-Emergency Support Services

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Bowen Island ESS-Emergency Support Services Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Bowen Island ESS-Emergency Support Services, Nonprofit Organization, 580 Bowen Trunk Road, Bowen Island, BC.

ESS is a community-based provincial response program, with a team of volunteers on Bowen Island, that provides short term services, such as food, clothing, lodging, etc) for individuals and families affected by disasters.

10/03/2026

Earthquakes
Get prepared for an earthquake - Province of British Columbia

In BC, Emergency Support Services (ESS) provide temporary help like food, lodging, and clothing for people displaced by disasters, including earthquakes. To prepare, individuals should create an Evacuee Registration and Assistance (ERA) profile on ess.gov.bc.ca before an event, as this is crucial for receiving support if evacuated. During a large-scale emergency, the public should listen to local authorities for information on activated Reception Centres, where they can register and access ESS
How to Prepare for an Earthquake:
Create an ERA Profile:
Before an emergency, create a profile on the Evacuee Registration and Assistance (ERA) tool at ess.gov.bc.ca. This is a critical step to ensure you can receive support if forced to evacuate.

Stay Informed:
Listen to local media and check municipal websites during an emergency to find out if a Reception Centre has been opened in your area.
During an Earthquake and Evacuation:
Evacuate Safely:
Follow instructions from your local government or First Nation.

Contact Your Insurer:
If you have home or tenant's insurance, contact your provider about coverage for living expenses during an evacuation.

Register at a Reception Centre:
Even if you plan to stay with friends or relatives, register at an active Reception Centre. This ensures emergency officials know you have left the affected area and can provide assistance.

Use the ERA Portal:
If you need to access ESS, create a profile using the ERA tool or log in to your existing profile. You will then receive instructions on how to get the help you are eligible for

Bowens Emergency Support Services volunteers will be in the BICS undercover area with earthquake and emergency preparedness information on Saturday October 17th 2:30 - 7 pm.
Get a free Drop, Cover and Hold on Bumper sticker!

Introduction to Bowen Island ESS Meet & Greet Wednesday September 23 20266pm-8pm (doors open at 5:30pm)Firehall  #1 on M...
09/09/2026

Introduction to Bowen Island ESS Meet & Greet

Wednesday September 23 2026
6pm-8pm (doors open at 5:30pm)
Firehall #1 on Miller Road, parking in the rear lot but be sure not to block fire dept egress.
Facilitators: Jeanine Ziolkoski & Jayne McMillan

This session is geared toward volunteers who are interested in the Reception Centre’s Meet & Greet function, and there will be scenarios presented to work through as a mock exercise.

All ESS volunteers who are interested in learning more about how this function operates should also attend, and your participation in working through the mock M&G exercise is welcomed.

For this session, we ask that you pre-read/review the following attachments:

- Meet & Greet worker job description & checklist
- Meet & Greet supervisor job description & checklist
- ESS Program Guide (which was requested a few months ago for all volunteers to review) Online- Log into ess.gov.bc.ca (ERA) and find the Program Guide 2025 in the RESOURCE HUB
- RC fully expanded Org Chart


Please register by emailing [email protected]

Don’t wait for the evacuation order; it might leave you with just minutes. Preparation won’t change the emergency, but i...
08/04/2026

Don’t wait for the evacuation order; it might leave you with just minutes. Preparation won’t change the emergency, but it will change how you get through it.

Make a grab-and-go bag!

A grab-and-go bag is a small emergency kit that's easy to take with you, in case you need to leave right away. It's a good idea to make grab-and-go bags for your home, workplace and vehicle.
Include:
* Food (ready to eat) and water
* Phone charger and battery bank
* Small battery-powered or hand-crank radio
* Battery-powered or hand-crank flashlight
* Extra batteries
* Small first-aid kit and personal medications
* Personal toiletries and items, such as an extra pair of glasses or contact lenses
* Copy of your emergency plan
* Copies of important documents, such as insurance papers and identification
* Cash in small bills
* Local map with your family meeting place identified
* Seasonal clothing and an emergency blanket
* Pen and notepad
* Whistle

Even the most prepared people forget these 5 essentials:

1.Medications: Don’t leave prescriptions behind. Keep a supply ready to go!
2. Important Documents: Passports, IDs, insurance papers. Store them together and snap a photo for backup.
3. Chargers & Electronics: Your phone is a lifeline, but it’s useless without a charger. Pack a spare cable and power bank.
4. Pet Supplies: Bring food, meds, leashes, and vaccination records for your furry family members.
5. Daily Essentials: Glasses, hearing aids, mobility aids. Think about you use every day and add it to your checklist.

Bowen Island Emergency Support Services 20 years ago  (2006 photo with Brian, Sparky,  Carolyn and Bob ) and today ( 202...
06/20/2026

Bowen Island Emergency Support Services 20 years ago (2006 photo with Brian, Sparky, Carolyn and Bob ) and today ( 2026 photo with Sue, Bruce, Don and Jayne) at the Bowen Island Fire Rescue Rescue Open House. Come on down!

Emergency Support Services Group Lodging CourseWhat is Emergency Support Services Group Lodging?Group lodging facilities...
02/24/2026

Emergency Support Services Group Lodging Course

What is Emergency Support Services Group Lodging?
Group lodging facilities are public facilities that are not normally used for living purposes, but have been adapted to provide shelter style accommodations for large numbers of people who have been displaced from their homes as a result of an emergency or disaster.
Bowen Island ESS is offering this community led Justice Institute of BC (JIBC) course on Saturday March 21st at Bowen Island Firehall 1045 Miller Rd 8:30- 12 noon.
EMRG 1612 - Introduction ESS Group Lodging
Learn how to adapt facilities to shelter style accommodation for people displaced from their homes during a disaster. This three and a half (3.5) hour course covers the fundamentals for ESS responders who may be called upon to work in or support the activities at a group lodging facility.
Prerequisite: EMRG 1600 Introduction to Emergency Support Services
or EMRG 1635 Evacuee Registration and Supports
Please contact Carolyn at [email protected] to register

ESS volunteers Thursday February 26th, 6-8pm Emergency Support Services Tech & Talk night (drop in 6-8pm on Thursday, Fe...
02/10/2026

ESS volunteers

Thursday February 26th, 6-8pm Emergency Support Services Tech & Talk night (drop in 6-8pm on Thursday, Feb 26 at FH #1) for volunteers who could use a bit of peer support in completing some of the steps or who can share their expertise/experience.

Saturday February 28th 8:30am- Noon EMRG 1600 Introduction to ESS
Prerequisite: EMRG 1600 Introduction to Emergency Support Services or EMRG 1635 Evacuee Registration and Supports. (NOTE: If you haven’t taken one of the prerequisite courses and are interested in attending on March 1st, let us know ASAP as we can help you complete the 3 hour Intro to ESS before March 1.

Please reach out to our Volunteer Coordinator Jeanine at [email protected] )

Sunday March 1st 1-4pm EMRG 1610 Introduction to Reception Centres
Bowen Island ESS is offering this community led JIBC course on Sunday March 1st at Bowen Island Firehall 1045 Miller Rd
Please contact Carolyn at [email protected] to register!

EMRG 1610 - Introduction to Reception ESS Centres
The JIBC (Justice Institute of BC) 1610 course focuses on Introduction to Reception Centres for Emergency Support Services (ESS) responders. Reception Centres are designated locations for individuals displaced from their homes due toemergencies or disasters. This course covers the fundamentals ESS volunteers require to work in a Reception Centre and provide essential services such as food, clothing, and lodging.
Prerequistite: EMRG 1600 Introduction to Emergency Support Services or EMRG 1635 Evacuee Registration and Supports. (NOTE: See prerequisite above on February 28 Introduction to ESS course)

02/04/2026

EMRG 1610 - Introduction to Reception Centres
The JIBC (Justice Institute of BC) 1610 course focuses on Introduction to Reception Centres for Emergency Support Services (ESS) responders. Reception Centres are designated locations for individuals displaced from their homes due to emergencies or disasters. This course covers the fundamentals ESS volunteers require to work in a Reception Centre and provide essential services such as food, clothing, and lodging.
Prerequistite: EMRG 1600 Introduction to Emergency Support Services or EMRG 1635 Evacuee Registration and Supports. (NOTE: If you haven’t taken one of the prerequisite courses and are interested in attending on March 1st, let us know ASAP as we can help you complete the 3 hour Intro to ESS before March 1. Please reach out to our Volunteer Coordinator Jeanine at [email protected] )
Bowen Island ESS is offering this community led JIBC course on Sunday March 1st at Bowen Island Firehall 1045 Miller Rd 1pm – 4pm
Please contact Carolyn at [email protected] to register!

Please note.This course is cancelled and will be rescheduled for April 2026. Bowen Island ESS is facilitating the JIBC C...
01/09/2026

Please note.
This course is cancelled and will be rescheduled for April 2026.

Bowen Island ESS is facilitating the JIBC Course EMRG 1612 Introduction to Group Lodging on Sunday February 1st from 1-4pm at Bowen Island Firehall 1045 Miller Rd
Details:
Learn how to adapt facilities to shelter style accommodation for people displaced from their homes during a disaster. This three and a half (3.5) hour course covers the fundamentals for ESS responders who may be called upon to work in or support the activities at a group lodging facility. Prerequisite – EMRG – 1600 Introduction to ESS
Please register by phone or email to Carolyn.


Carolyn McDonald
Emergency Support Services Director
Cell: 604 803 3130

www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/ess
[email protected]

Address

580 Bowen Trunk Road
Bowen Island, BC
V0N1G2

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