Disaster Social Services

1. Overview Disaster Social Services

2. Mandate Every municipality is mandated under the Emergency Management Actto provide assistance to evacuees in the event of an emergency or disaster.

3. Emergency Management Act(ALBERTA) 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”

4. 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

5. Erlton Fire 2001

6. Mission Statement Disaster Social Services develops and maintains a comprehensive plan that includes the provision of basic food, clothing, lodging and personalservices in order to care for those evacuated during a disaster

7. DSS Activation Criteria • When an evacuation affects 100citizens, the Red Cross Disaster Unit may be called by Calgary Emergency Management to respond to specific needs • When an emergency in Calgary affects 100citizens, DSS responds to their needs and may set up a Reception Centre

8. Reception Centre • A strategically located centre that has been previously approved by the Lodging Team • A one-stop service siteto which people evacuate, and where their immediate basic needs are met by the DSS teams • Also serves as a gathering place and information centre Description

9. Reception Centre Food Lodging PersonalServices Clothing Registration & Inquiry DSS delivers these basic services to evacuees at a Reception Centre

10. Who is Involved Community Organizationsthat 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)

11. Who Is Involved City of Calgary Staff DSS Director Chris Branch, Director, CNS DSS Coordinator: Rick Kanik, Manager, Senior Services Full Time DSS Planner - Arlene Baxendale Admin Coordinator – Linda O’Toole First Responders Trained City of Calgary employees, who form 10 specialized DSS teams (approx 120) Generalists City of Calgary employees from Community & Neighbourhood Services who are not on a specific DSS team (approx 200)

12. Who is Involved Clothing Administration Food Communications Lodging Finance Personal Services Human Resources Reception CentreManagement Logistics At a Reception Centre, these teams provide DIRECT services to citizens First Responders are City of Calgary employees who are members of one of these specialized DSS teams: First Responders These SUPPORT teams enable the direct services to be delivered effectively

13. Who is Involved A Generalist is any City of Calgary employee within Community and Neighbourhood Services who is not a member of a specific DSS team Generalists 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

14. How DSS is Activated 1. Calgary Emergency Management Contacts the DSS Director 2. DSS DirectorContacts the DSS Coordinator and DSS Planner 3.DSS Coordinator/PlannerDeploys QRAT* to determine the level of response required 4. Once the level of response is determinedand 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

15. How DSS is Activated Calgary Emergency Management DSS Director DSS Coordinator / Planner QRAT Team 10 DSS Teams Direct Service Teams Clothing Food LodgingPersonal Services Reception Centre Mgmt Support Teams Administration Communications Finance Human Resources Logistics

16. DSS Responses Hub Oil Explosion August 1999 Lynwood Ridge June 2001 New York Response (9/11) September 2001 Duralite Fire November 2001 Hazco Fire December 2001 G8 Summit (EOC Only) June 2002 Erlton Fire May 2002 First Church of Christ Scientist Fire June 2002 Century Gardens Fire September 2002 BC Fires August 2003 Edmonton Hail & Flood Disaster July 2004

17. DSS Responses Calgary Flood June 2005 Suncourt Place Fire February 2007 Provincial Disaster Recovery Program June 2007 Lakeview Mews Fire July 2007 Dover Seniors Fire August 2008

18. 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 Centre

19. What to Expect • Ensure your own family’s basic needs are met firstAs 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)

20. 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 Team

21. Training Opportunities • ARES Radio Certification • Basic DSS Training • Crisis Intervention During Disasters • DSS Orientation • Emergency Operations Centre (Levels 1 & 2) • First Aid: Emergency Level • Mock Disaster Exercises • Personal Disaster Preparedness • Train the Trainer (Tabletop exercises) • Local and National Conferences

22. 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

23. How to Get Involved Contact Arlene Baxendale DSS Planner (403) 268-3543 arlene.baxendale@calgary.ca