Whereas Emergency Support Services ESS volunteers play a critical role in the provinces emergency response efforts, particularly in rural and remote areas; And whereas the BC Ombudspersons 2023 report on Emergency Support Services identifies gaps in legal protections, including job protection during activations, as well as appropriate compensation and training resources for ESS volunteers, which negatively affect recruitment, retention, and their capacity to respond during Emergency Operations Centre EOC activations: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urge the Province of British Columbia to implement legal safeguards ensuring job protection for ESS volunteers during activations, along with appropriate compensation and standardized training supports, to ensure their sustainability and effectiveness.
Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness The Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness acknowledges UBCM Resolution NR49 regarding protections and supports for Emergency Support Services volunteers. The Ministry recognizes and values the critical role these volunteers play in supporting emergency response efforts across British Columbia, particularly in rural and remote communities. The Ministry notes that the BC Ombudspersons 2023 report, Fairness in a Changing Climate identifies capacity and sustainability challenges within the Emergency Support Services Program, including a significant reliance on volunteers. The report did not specifically identify gaps in legal or employment protection, including job protections for Emergency Support Services volunteers. Since the release of the Ombudspersons report, the Province has enacted the Emergency and Disaster Management Act, which establishes a modernized framework for the authorization, training, management and coordination of deployment of volunteers. The legislation strengthens operational standards for volunteers but does not establish job-protected leave or a compensation framework, which would require consideration across broader employment and labour legislation. Additionally, since the release of the Ombudspersons report, the Province has enhanced Emergency Support Services volunteer training by streamlining core courses, and expanding online, hybrid and self-paced delivery options, and improving access through community-led and self-paced learning models. The Province does provide important protection for registered Emergency Support Services volunteers performing authorized tasks. Under Emergency Management Policy 5.07, registered Emergency Service Workers are eligible for workers compensation injury coverage through WorkSafeBC when injured or killed while performing authorized emergency service work. In addition, Emergency Management BC Policy 5.08 provides commercial general liability insurance coverage for volunteers while they are performing authorized services on behalf of the Province. The Ministry will continue to work with the Union of British Columbia Municipalities and local governments to support volunteers and volunteer sustainability as part of ongoing improvements and enhancements to the Provinces Public Safety Lifeline Volunteer program.