Emergency Support Services (ESS) 

Local authorities in BC coordinate the provision of food, clothing, temporary shelter, transportation and medical services to those displaced by emergencies such as urban fires, flooding, gas leaks or large scale disasters such as earthquakes or tsunamis.  Emergency Support Services (ESS) are short-term and are generally made available in community facilities for 72 hours immediately after an emergency or disaster.

Reception Centres and Gathering Places

Oak Bay’s four Recreation Centres have been identified as the primary reception (evacuation) and group lodging centres. Other community sites, such as churches and seniors facilities may be used as secondary or overflow sites. 
The facilities will be supported by trained Oak Bay staff and ESS volunteers.

In the event of a disaster such as an earthquake, facilities will be assessed for structural integrity first before being used.

Oak Bay has also identified several green space locations that can be used for gathering and sheltering.

Before leaving home, residents should listen to local radio stations to know which locations are being used, what services are available, what to bring and what routes to take.

Possible Reception Centres, Group Lodging or Gathering Place Sites

Oak Bay Recreation Centre, 1975 Bee Street

Monterey Recreation Centre, 1442 Monterey Avenue

Henderson Recreation Centre, 2291 Cedar Hill X Road

Windsor Park Pavilion, 2451 Windsor Road

Mobile Response

The Mobile Emergency Response Vehicle (MERV) is equipped to respond to smaller emergencies such as house fires and to be first on scene to open a Reception Centre.  It can tow the Group Lodging Trailer, which carries enough supplies to set up a small Group Lodging Centre.

Emergency Communications

Oak Bay monitors two assigned frequencies and other inter-municipal frequencies which it can use during emergencies:  

• VHF Amateur Radio, 146.445 MHz on air every Wednesday at 6:45 pm
• UHF Amateur Radio, 446.075 MHz on air every Wednesday at 7:00 pm

There are radios set up at the Oak Bay Municipal Hall, call sign VE70EP, and in the Mobile Emergency Response Vehicle (MERV), call sign VA70EP.

It Is Important That We All Do Our Part!

It is important that everyone is prepared to be self-sufficient for a  minimum of 7 days by

• Having an emergency response plan
• Having sufficient food, water, medications and other emergency supplies
• Having a family reunification plan
• Being prepared to help neighbours
• Being prepared to begin recovery and rebuild our lives