A simple monthly check-in for ESS volunteers across British Columbia
All-In with ESS was created for one simple reason: To support ESS volunteers not just during emergencies - but in the quiet time between them.
After many years as ESS responders, Jackie and Monique both noticed the same thing: there isn’t a lot of ongoing support for ESS volunteers between activations - even though the need is always there.
During COVID, we stayed connected through monthly calls. When those ended, the requests to bring them back never really stopped. So instead of restarting the calls the same way - we created All-In with ESS.
All-In with ESS is a free, monthly challenge created just for ESS volunteers.
On the third Thursday of every month, if you’re signed up, you’ll receive:
✅ One ERA question to practice your skills
✅ One ESS “What would you do?” scenario to get you thinking
✅ A chance to stay sharp, stay confident, and stay connected
It’s quick. It’s practical. And it fits into real life.
We’re also bringing back monthly ESS calls, open to all ESS volunteers.
These will happen quarterly on the third Thursday of each month, alongside the challenge. Dates will be confirmed.
Each call will have:
✅ one focused topic
✅ open discussion
✅ occasional guest speakers
We’ll shape it together as we go - based on what ESS volunteers actually want and need.
This might be our favourite part.
Each month, we’ll spotlight one volunteer who shared great thinking, creativity, or care in their response.
It’s not about being the best. It’s about recognizing the people who quietly show up and thoughtfully support others during some of the hardest moments of their lives.
If you’re an ESS volunteer anywhere in British Columbia, this is for you.
Whether you’re brand new or have years of experience - All-In with ESS is your monthly reminder that:
✅ your skills matter
✅ your confidence matters
✅ and you’re not doing this alone
Signing up is easy. We just need:
✅ your name
✅ and your email
We truly would love to have you with us - and we look forward to learning, practicing, and growing together.
As always, stay safe.
We hope to see your name in our inbox soon
Jackie & Monique
For more than 30 years, Jackie Kloosterboer has worked alongside Emergency Support Services volunteers throughout British Columbia — including 20 years with the City of Vancouver ESS program. She has seen firsthand the challenges volunteers face and the incredible impact they have during times of crisis.
Today, through Survive-It Disaster Preparedness Ltd., Jackie continues to support communities by designing realistic exercises, delivering hands-on training, and creating practical tools volunteers can actually use during real events.
Her focus is clear: Build confidence, strengthen skills, and make sure volunteers feel supported - because confident volunteers change everything.
Monique Weir is the Emergency Manager and Emergency Support Services Director for the City of Mission.
She began as an ESS Volunteer in 2018. Within a year of starting with ESS, she took on the role of ESS Director. The Mission ESS team started small – with only two volunteers – but has grown over the years and attends 15-20 ESS activations within the community each year. Monique knows the challenges of trying to grow a small team with limited resources. Monique and her team support mutual aid requests, remote reception centers and deploys provincially. Monique is passionate about creating and sharing ESS resources and materials, the ERA tool (she really does love it!) and helping small communities build their ESS teams. She believes that ESS resources and volunteers can have an incredibly positive affect on families affected by emergency events.