What is the Metchosin Emergency Program?

The Metchosin Emergency Program plans for the response and recovery from emergencies and disasters in order to help protect the health, safety and welfare of the residents of Metchosin.

The Emergency Program Includes the following core groups:

Emergency Support Services (ESS)

Director:  Gaert Linnaea
Current Staffing:  Approximately 10 volunteers
Meetings: Monthly

Metchosin Emergency Social Services (ESS) is a team of community volunteers who respond to provide essential services needed by people forced from their homes by emergencies or disasters. They are part of a province-wide organization set out by Emergency Management British Columbia (EMBC).

Essential services include:

  • Food
  • Lodging
  • Clothing
  • Registration & Inquiry
  • Personal Services
  • Other Specialized Services

These volunteers donate their time and energy to receive extensive training and have proven to be an invaluable resource in many emergencies.

 

 

For More Information Emergency Social Services in BC or Emergency Management BC

Emergency Operation Centre (EOC)

Director: Stephanie Dunlop
Current Staffing: Approximately 22 Volunteers
Meetings: Bi-Monthly

The EOC, located on the Municipal Grounds at 4440 Happy Valley Road, is the primary coordination center for managing emergencies and disasters that require a multi-agency response. This facility is where agencies come together to develop and maintain a common operational picture to effectively and efficiently respond to an emergency or disaster that occurs within the Municipality of Metchosin.

The EOC may be partially or fully staffed depending on the scale and response requirements of the emergency or disaster. When the EOC is activated at a Response Operations Level 1 or lower, EOC staff monitors conditions and activates information sharing networks and ensures contact with related agencies. When the EOC is activated at a Response Operations Level 2 or higher, management volunteer staff convene at the EOC to develop a common operational picture.

To Learn more about the various Response Levels click here

Metchosin Ground Search And Rescue (MSAR)

Director:  Jack Buchanan
Current Staffing:  38 volunteers
Meetings/Training: 2 -3 times / month

Metchosin Search and Rescue is made up solely of volunteer members experienced in ground searches. They receive training and support from EMBC in basic SAR techniques, team leader/manager and rescue. They will provide support to other provincial SAR groups, and CRD regions, on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.  MSAR is one of the few Search and Rescue Groups in BC with a certified Search Dog.

In BC, Ground Search and Rescue (GSAR) is coordinated through Emergency Management BC (EMBC) which sets guidelines for SAR teams. There are 80 Ground SAR Groups in BC representing approximately 2500 unpaid professionals on call at all times. Each group is responsible for a certain region of the province.

In addition to being on call with SAR, these same volunteers can be called in to service within the District of Metchosin during an emergency / disaster to assist our EOC with Evacuation procedures, Rapid Damage Assessments and other emergency notification programs.  They are a valuable resource to our community.

Neighbourhood Emergency Preparedness Program (NEPP)

Director:  Kathleen Sutherland
Meetings/Training:  As requested

The Neighbourhood Emergency Preparedness Program (or PODS as we call them in Metchosin) exists to plan, prepare and coordinate neighbourhood response to emergencies in the community.

When disaster strikes, it may take emergency responders some time to arrive as they attend to those in most critical need. The Neighbourhood Emergency Preparedness Program (NEPP) is designed to help individuals and neighbours prepare to be self sufficient for an extended period of time. It is natural for neighbours to come together and to help one another during times of crisis.  Learning how to be prepared can be crucial.

The purpose of the Neighbourhood Emergency Preparedness Program (NEPP) is to ensure that Emergency Preparedness is well practiced in the area where it will be most effective – our communities, neighbourhoods and homes. This is accomplished by providing information to which can assist neighbourhoods identify their local skills and resources to ensure they are more organized to effectively deal with a disaster.

To learn more about NEPP Click here.

Emergency Communications

Director:  Linda Payne
Current Staffing: Approximately 5 Volunteers
Meetings/Training: Weekly

During disasters and other serious emergency situations, when many other systems fail, a proven reliable means of communication has been emergency radio communications, notably “amateur” or “ham” radio. Emergency radio is a public safety lifeline that assists within the community and links the community in crisis to where relief and support can be coordinated

These licensed volunteer amateur radio operators are affiliated with Emergency Management BC. They train regularly and often take part in emergency exercises so they are prepared for any crisis situation that arises.