Over 25,500 Volunteer Hours Dedicated to Emergency Support Services

ESS volunteers in a room for morning briefing.
ESS Reception Centre at McArthur Island.

2021 proved to be a very challenging year for many residents in and around Kamloops. A large residential structure fire, extreme heat, and unprecedented wildfires and flooding displaced many residents and required a significant emergency response to support Kamloops residents and those within our neighbouring communities.

A team of forty-four Kamloops Emergency Support Services (ESS) volunteers dedicated nearly 16,200 hours in 2021 towards helping residents and surrounding communities in need. In addition, nearly 9,400 hours were contributed by mutual aid and convergent volunteers, including volunteers from St. John’s Ambulance, Disaster Psychosocial Services, other service providers, and additional ESS volunteers recruited after the start of wildfire season.

The Kamloops ESS team provided vouchers for lodging, meals, clothing, transportation costs, and other needed items for residents displaced due to wildfires and flooding, as well as for those who lost their homes in the Cherry Avenue apartment fire.  

The ESS operation is supported by community volunteers who donate their time and help plan for the well-being of their neighbours and fellow citizens in the event of a disaster. ESS provides short-term assistance to residents in need of emergency supports who are forced to leave their homes because of fires, floods, earthquakes, or other emergencies.

In addition to the hours volunteers and other organizations provided in 2021, City staff also dedicated numerous hours to supporting the ESS response. The work and dedication of all contributors towards the ESS operation is recognized and deeply appreciated by the community, impacted residents, City Administration, and City Council.

Throughout the year, ESS recruits new team members and ensures that volunteers are trained and oriented to various roles and support services.

Individuals who wish to volunteer for ESS are invited to apply online at Kamloops.ca/ESS. Volunteer training is provided free of charge through the Justice Institute of BC, City of Kamloops, and support organizations.