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Disaster Social Services
OverviewOverview
Mandate
Every municipality is mandated under the
Emergency Management Act to provide assistance to
evacuees in the event of an emergency or disaster.
SECTION 11(a)
“The local authority of each municipality shall, at all times, be responsible for the direction
and control of the local authority’s emergency response”
Emergency Management Act(ALBERTA)
Definition
Disaster Social Services (DSS) is a planned emergency response
program intended to meet the immediate and long term survival and psychological
needs of individuals impacted by an emergency or disaster
Erlton Fire 2001
Mission Statement
Disaster Social Services develops and maintains a comprehensive plan that includes the provision of basic
food, clothing, lodging and personal services in order to care for those
evacuated during a disaster
When an emergency in Calgary affects 100 citizens, DSS responds to their needs and may set up a Reception Centre
DSS Activation Criteria
When an evacuation affects 100 citizens, the Red Cross Disaster Unit may be called by Calgary Emergency Management to respond to specific needs
Reception Centre
A strategically located centre that has been previously approved by the Lodging Team
A one-stop service site to which people evacuate, and where their immediate basic needs are met by the DSS teams
Also serves as a gathering place and information centre
DescriptionDescription
Reception Centre
FoodLodging
PersonalServices Clothing
Registration & Inquiry
DSS delivers these basic services to DSS delivers these basic services to evacuees at a Reception Centreevacuees at a Reception Centre
Who is Involved
Community Organizations that have been trained in
accordance with the DSS Plan
The City of Calgary’s DSS Team is comprised of two components:
First Responders / DSS Teams(City of Calgary staff)
Who Is InvolvedCity of Calgary Staff
First RespondersTrained City of Calgary employees, who form
10 specialized DSS teams (approx 120)
DSS Director Chris Branch, Director, CNSDSS Coordinator: Rick Kanik, Manager, Senior Services
Full TimeDSS Planner - Arlene BaxendaleAdmin Coordinator – Linda O’Toole
GeneralistsCity of Calgary employees from Community & Neighbourhood
Services who are not on a specific DSS team (approx 200)
Who is InvolvedFirst Responders
First Responders are City of Calgary employees who are members of one of these specialized DSS teams:
Clothing
Food
Lodging
Personal Services
Reception CentreManagement
At a Reception Centre, these teams provide DIRECT services to citizens
Administration
Communications
Finance
Human Resources
Logistics
These SUPPORT teams enable the direct services to be delivered effectively
Who is InvolvedGeneralists
A Generalist is any City of Calgary employee A Generalist is any City of Calgary employee within Community and Neighbourhood Services within Community and Neighbourhood Services
who is not a member of a specific DSS teamwho is not a member of a specific DSS team
In a large disaster response, a generalist may be called upon at any time to provide assistance to
any of the 10 DSS teams in either a general or specialized capacity
How DSS is Activated1. Calgary Emergency Management
Contacts the DSS Director
2. DSS Director Contacts the DSS Coordinator and DSS Planner
3. DSS Coordinator/Planner Deploys QRAT* to determine the level of response required
4. Once the level of response is determined and if the DSS teams are required, the DSS Coordinator/Planner initiate the fan-out process
*QRAT = Quick Response Assessment Team This is a specialized group within the DSS Personal Services team
How DSS is Activated
Direct Service Teams
ClothingFood
LodgingPersonal Services
Reception Centre Mgmt
Direct Service Teams
ClothingFood
LodgingPersonal Services
Reception Centre Mgmt
Support Teams
AdministrationCommunications
FinanceHuman Resources
Logistics
Support Teams
AdministrationCommunications
FinanceHuman Resources
Logistics
10 DSS Teams
Calgary EmergencyManagement
Calgary EmergencyManagement
DSS DirectorDSS Director
DSS Coordinator / PlannerDSS Coordinator / Planner QRAT TeamQRAT Team
Hub Oil Explosion August 1999Lynwood Ridge June 2001New York Response (9/11) September 2001Duralite Fire November 2001Hazco Fire December 2001G8 Summit (EOC Only) June 2002Erlton Fire May 2002First Church of Christ Scientist Fire June 2002Century Gardens Fire September 2002BC Fires August 2003Edmonton Hail & Flood Disaster July 2004
DSS Responses
Calgary Flood June 2005Suncourt Place Fire February 2007Provincial Disaster Recovery Program June 2007Lakeview Mews Fire July 2007Dover Seniors Fire August 2008
DSS Responses
What to Expect
Para-Military system (i.e. hierarchical, rule-based, clear line of authority and responsibility)
Hectic environment
Evacuees who may be traumatized
At a Reception CentreAt a Reception Centre
What to Expect
Ensure your own family’s basic needs are met first As you will be of no help to evacuees until you are certain your family is taken care of (e.g. child care)
Advise your family/employer where you will be
Ensure that work responsibilities are covered
Realize that 100% of your effort & commitment are required at a Reception Centre If you are unable to provide this, advise your DSS supervisor
Never assist any type of disaster response with which you have an emotional attachment (i.e. a family member or friend was a victim of the event)
Responsibilities & Self Care(Before reporting to the Reception Center)
Top Reasons to Get Involved
Career Enhancement
Corporate and Community recognition
Opportunity to “Make a Difference”!
Camaraderie and Teamwork
Satisfaction of knowing you helped when it was most needed
Valuable Courses and Training
Benefits of Joining a TeamBenefits of Joining a Team
Training OpportunitiesTraining OpportunitiesARES Radio CertificationBasic DSS TrainingCrisis Intervention During DisastersDSS Orientation Emergency Operations Centre (Levels 1 & 2)
First Aid: Emergency LevelMock Disaster ExercisesPersonal Disaster PreparednessTrain the Trainer (Tabletop exercises)
Local and National Conferences
The work of Disaster Social Services touches the lives of all Calgarians
DSS is prepared and committed to helping those in need during times of disaster
Your involvement is important towards ensuring that DSS can respond effectively when disasters occur