Emergency Support Services training

Course prerequisites: EMRG–1100 Introduction to EM // EMRG-1600 Introduction to ESS // EMRG-1610 Introduction to Reception Centres // EMRG-1615 Registration and Referrals
Delivery: Online, instructor-led course combining self-directed work and scheduled virtual classroom sessions for 7 hours per week over 3 weeks (equivalent to in-person course)

Students will:

• Engage with other director candidates in activities, discussions, and live virtual sessions, and
• Spend about 7 hours a week on course activities and live virtual classroom sessions

Please note: Students must be able to attend live virtual sessions on Saturday mornings for up to 2.5 hours.

Check the application link for available dates. If your application for the course is approved, you'll receive an email with further information. Please send questions to ess@jibc.ca.

Director course application

The Registration and Referrals (R&R) course has transitioned to include a hybrid online/virtual course facilitated by JIBC instructors.

This course is essential for all ESS workers and volunteers who will be processing digital and/or paper-based registration and referrals. During the course, students will learn foundational policy and procedures of the registration and referral functions; and engage in interactive learning opportunities for applied individual and group practice.

Click below to register directly with JIBC.

Registration and referrals course dates

Course prerequisites: EMRG-1615 Registration and Referrals

This course is for ESS responder (tier 1) users of British Columbia's Evacuee Registration & Assistance (ERA) tool. Participants will learn the evacuee search and registration features of the tool. The course will provide technical training through software simulations, allowing for training to occur before receiving user access to ERA.

Course registration

Course prerequisites: EMRG-1615 Registration and Referrals

This course is for ESS supervisor (tier 2), manager/director (tier 3), and local emergency program administrator (tier 4) users of British Columbia's Evacuee Registration & Assistance (ERA) tool. Participants will learn the management features of the tool including responder management, supplier management, community management, and generating reports. This course includes all components of ERA for Responders (EMRG-1620) training.

Course registration

Course prerequisites: none.

In this course, Emergency Support Services (ESS) responders will learn about registering and supporting evacuees using the Evacuee Registration and Assistance (ERA) tool. Learn the basics of ESS, how to interact with evacuees, and practice using ERA. These concepts will be taught through direct instruction, discussions, roleplays, and scenarios.

Upon successful completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

1. Understand the steps in the registration and support process
2. Understand inclusive, empathetic, and evacuee-centred communication
3. Register and provide supports to evacuees in the Evacuee Registration and Assistance (ERA) tool with the help of job aids

See the in-person training schedule below for course availability.

Course registration

Courses can be taught in team sessions, working through the content together. Alternatively, each student can work through the content individually, connecting with their community leader to confirm their completion. Organizing and delivery of the training is entirely up to the community and their specific needs.  

Course packages became available January 6th, 2025. Training can be delivered any time after receiving the packages according to community needs. There is no time limit.

To order course packages, complete the course material request form (see above). 

Course packages can be requested by ESS Directors, Emergency Program Coordinators (EPC) or other authorized local authorities and first nations leaders responsible for their local emergency program.

Maximum 24 per request, per course (one per student).

Course Materials for Community Led Learning is available for these courses: 

• EMRG-1600 Introduction to ESS 
• EMRG-1607 Level One ESS 
• EMRG-1610 Introduction to Reception Centres 
• EMRG-1612 Introduction to Group Lodging 

Course Materials packages consist of: 

• Participant Guides 
• PowerPoint Presentation File 
• Course Materials Guide 
• Activity Materials 
• ESS Course Completion Form
• Student Information Forms  

The estimated turnaround time for materials being shipped is 3 weeks from course request. Please consider shipping times when scheduling independent or facilitated training for your ESS community.

To receive credit for these courses a community must send back the required paperwork – there will be instructions on this in the back of the manual. 

Once the ESS Course Completion Form is received by JIBC the student will have it recorded on their transcript.  

If a student doesn't have a JIBC profile, complete the Student Information Form (included in the package) and send it back. Then, JIBC will create a student profile and number.