Survive-It Services
Why ESS Matters More Than Ever
When disaster strikes, people turn to Emergency Support Services (ESS) for support, safety, and hope. But too often, ESS teams are stretched thin, under-trained, or relying on outdated plans. The result? Stress, confusion, and lost trust when your community needs you most.
That’s why I do this work. I don’t just train ESS teams—I help them gain the skills, confidence, and systems they need to step into action with clarity and compassion. With the right preparation, your ESS team can move from feeling overwhelmed to being a trusted lifeline when it matters most.
We offer services for Disaster Prepardness and for Emergency Support Services. Please contact us if you require more information or have questions about registering for any upcoming programs or workshops.
The first moments of an ESS response shape everything that follows. From the first interaction at reception to how information is shared and support is provided, these early moments determine whether evacuees feel safe, supported, and understood — or overwhelmed and uncertain.
This is where I focus my work.
Through training and exercises, I help ESS teams strengthen these critical first interactions — improving flow, communication, and the overall evacuee experience from the very beginning.
With over 30 years specializing in Emergency Support Services (ESS), including recent work as ESS Director for the City of Vancouver, I've responded to 45–60 activations annually, ranging from small to extensive, requiring Reception or Lodging Centres. Additionally, I've supported First Nations ESS (FNESS), aiding in plan development, and served as an instructor with the Justice Institute of BC (JIBC), teaching ESS teams nationwide.
My work has helped ESS teams gain the confidence to adapt plans, take control, and bring peace of mind during uncertain times. I am committed to keeping ESS teams prepared—let’s connect to ensure your team is ready for whatever comes next.
(Signature Course)
A practical, experience-based course focused on the critical first moments of an ESS response — where evacuee experience, team coordination, and decision-making matter most.
Focused on the critical first moments of a response, this training prepares volunteers to arrive on
scene, follow protocols, ensure safety, and support evacuees with confidence and care.
Interactive training that prepares team members to step into management roles with confidence, including hands-on practice through tabletop exercises.
Practical ESS training for new and experienced teams, delivered in person or online to build confidence, strengthen skills, and improve response when it matters most.
Real-world exercises that test plans, strengthen teamwork, and build confidence so your team is ready for the next activation.
Review and update your ESS plan to reflect current realities, creating a clear, practical roadmap your team can rely on during a response.
Tailored training and exercises designed around your community’s unique needs to ensure your team is fully prepared and confident.
Each program is designed to build confidence, strengthen skills, and ensure your ESS team is truly ready when disaster strikes. For more information on any of these ESS offerings, please reach out.
All-In with ESS is a free monthly challenge created by ESS responders Jackie Kloosterboer and Monique Weir for volunteers across British Columbia. On the third Thursday of each month, participants receive a focused ERA practice question and a realistic “What would you do?” scenario. The goal is simple: keep skills fresh, build confidence, and support volunteers between emergencies.
Is your Emergency Support Services (ESS) Plan sitting on the shelf collecting dust?
Do those well-intentioned training workshops and exercise plans keep falling to the bottom of your to-do list?
If you’re like many ESS teams, training and exercise plans often get pushed aside. I can help turn those intentions into action—by creating clear plans, delivering training, and designing exercises that give your team real opportunities to practice. When ESS is made a priority, those plans move off the shelf and into action.
That’s where I come in.
Check out the Reception Centre and Group Lodging video to see an ESS exercise in action—because when it comes to emergency response, practice makes perfect.
Is your ESS plan sitting on the shelf collecting dust?
Many teams have strong intentions — but training and exercises often get pushed aside. I help turn those plans into action through practical training and real-world exercises that build confidence and improve response when it matters most.
(Free Monthly Challenge)
A simple monthly check-in to keep ESS volunteers sharp, confident, and connected.
Support doesn’t just matter during an emergency — it matters in the quiet time between them. All-In with ESS was created to give volunteers a simple, practical way to keep their skills fresh and stay connected month to month.