The City of Kamloops is putting the call out for volunteers looking to help out in the Emergency Support Services (ESS) program.

It says the 2021 wildfire season has been busy for the volunteers who have been providing short-term assistance like food, lodging, and clothes to British Columbians who have been forced from their homes because of fire, flood, earthquake, or other emergencies.

“Our Emergency Support Services volunteers and staff are well trained to work in our virtual reception centre,” Dan Sutherland, the City’s Emergency Program Coordinator said. “We want to reassure Kamloops residents and our regional friends that evacuees are being assisted with expertise, experience, and diligence to support the residents of Kamloops and our regional partners.”

Volunteer training is scheduled to start tomorrow, August 7 and run until August 14. Volunteers will be working directly with evacuees to support their ESS registration and provide referrals to necessary supports.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank the 80 ESS volunteers and supporting partners who have been working hard every single day since June 29 to provide over 7,000 hours of support so far,” Rebecca Cooke, the City’s ESS Coordinator, said.

“We couldn’t provide the level of support to evacuees without their dedication, kindness, and extensive knowledge. We are very proud of these volunteers, and we feel incredibly fortunate to have them on our team.”

All prospective volunteers must be:

• comfortable working on computers
• comfortable speaking directly with evacuees over the phone
• able to complete the necessary ESS training
• able to obtain a Police Information and Vulnerable Sector Check

If you are interested in becoming an ESS volunteer, go here complete the application form.