Provincial Emergency Program (British Columbia)

The Provincial Emergency Program (PEP) is a division of the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Emergency Management BC. PEP works with local governments and other provincial and federal agencies year round, providing coordination and support before, during and after emergencies. PEP is administered under the Emergency Program Act.

PEP has its headquarters in Victoria, British Columbia Canada and incorporates six regional offices throughout the province in Surrey, Kamloops, Nelson, Terrace, Prince George and Victoria.

Day-to-day, the Province of B.C. is available to respond to local government and agency calls through an emergency coordination centre that is staffed 24/7.

For more information go to: www.pep.bc.ca

British Columbia Emergency Response Management System

The Province of British Columbia has developed and adopted the British Columbia Emergency Response Management System (BCERMS).

BCERMS is a comprehensive emergency management system based on the Incident Command System (ICS). This supports a coordinated and organized response and recovery to all emergency incidents and disasters.

Emergency Management Planning and Response

Multi-agency hazard plans for B.C. are prepared and updated regularly by the Province to ensure an effective strategy is in place to address many possible types of emergencies and disasters. These plans foster cooperation among multiple organizations. They focus on public safety, infrastructure and property protection and management of the aftermath of events.

British Columbia’s comprehensive emergency management system promotes a coordinated and organized response to all emergency incidents and disasters. The structure provides the framework for a standardized emergency response in the province.

At the most fundamental level, it is up to the individual to know about the risks in their region and what to do in an emergency to protect themselves and their family. Everyone should be aware of the importance of personal emergency preparedness.

Local governments lead the initial response to emergencies and disasters in their communities. They have emergency plans and maintain an emergency management organization to support the actions of first responders.

The provincial emergency management structure is activated when a B.C. community or any significant infrastructure is threatened by an emergency or disaster that may require additional or specialized resources.

Disaster Financial Assistance

British Columbia has a program to help those impacted by a disaster cope with the cost of repairs and recovery from disaster-related property damage.

The Disaster Financial Assistance Program (DFA) is administered by the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General through the Provincial Emergency Program under the authority of the Compensation and Disaster Financial Assistance Regulation, 1995.

Those impacted by a disaster may apply to the province for Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) where the losses could not be insured or where other programs are not available. Disaster financial assistance helps to replace or restore essential items and property that have been destroyed or damaged to pre-disaster condition.

Assistance is available to qualifying home owners, residential tenants, small businesses, farm operators, and not-for-profit charitable organizations.

B.C.'s Public Safety Lifeline

About 13,000 people across the province volunteer their time and expertise in preparing for and responding to emergency situations. The Provincial Emergency Program provides support for many volunteers and also provides the essential legal authority to recognized volunteer groups in responding to emergencies and disasters. Registered public safety lifeline volunteers are eligible for some benefits and basic response expenses. There is additional support available in the way of coordination and training.

Emergency volunteers come from every corner of the province and from all walks of life. Public safety lifeline volunteers respond to an average of 6,000 incidents a year, in all kinds of weather, any place, any time. Their community spirit, dedication and commitment to helping others keeps B.C. strong.

Emergency Social Services
Emergency Social Services provides short-term assistance to British Columbians who are forced to leave their homes because of fire, floods, earthquakes or other emergencies. This assistance includes food, lodging, clothing, emotional support and family reunification. Read more >>

British Columbia Search and Rescue
Annually, Search and Rescue volunteers in B.C. respond to over 1000 searches province-wide. Volunteer responders donate over 120,000 hours of their time on callouts and recent statistics show an astounding 95% of the subjects were found. Read more >>

Provincial Emergency Program Air Search & Rescue
PEP Air's primary function is to assist Canadian Forces during search and rescue missions when additional resources are required. Currently, the organization includes over 100 aircraft crewed by more than 900 pilots, spotters and navigators. Read more >>

BC Road Rescue Service
BC Road Rescue is an organized service with members who may be requested to provide support to people involved in out-of-jurisdiction motor vehicle accidents where specialized skills and equipment are required. Read more >>

Emergency Radio Communications
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. Read more >>