Emergency Social Services (ESS) 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. In British Columbia (BC), local authorities are responsible for planning and operating emergency responses within their jurisdictional areas, including Emergency Social Services (ESS). Vision Statement The Emergency Social Services Office envisions a province where all communities have the capacity to effectively respond to the basic short-term needs of British Columbians affected by an emergency or disaster. http://www.pep.bc.ca/index.html" target="_blank">http://www.pep.bc.ca/index.html">http://www.pep.bc.ca/index.html