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

How to Get InvolvedContact

Arlene BaxendaleDSS Planner

(403) 268-3543arlene.baxendale@calgary.ca