Helping to build emotional resilience within those affected by disaster.
The Disaster Psychosocial Support (DPS) team provides short-term support in the form of psychological first aid in response to larger scale events and emergencies such as wildfires and flooding evacuations. DPS consists of PHSA staff and volunteers who typically deploy to reception centres during evacuations. DPS may also deploy to apartment fires and other events which impact the wellbeing of individuals and communities. Telephone support for individuals may also be provided in coordination with a requesting agency. Please note: DPS is not a crisis line or counseling service.
DPS team members assist individuals by:
- Offering practical assistance and support to those wishing to receive it.
- Reducing feelings of distress by providing a comforting presence.
- Providing information on common stress reactions.
- Connecting people to information, community resources, social supports and other helpful resources.
DPS also offers wellness check-ins for frontline staff as well as staff supporting emergency operations centres,
Emergency Support Services, local governments and non-profit organizations. During prolonged responses and after emergencies, many responders find it helpful to identify and discuss the stressors related to their roles as well as ways they can cope and maintain their emotional health.
If you are interested in volunteering with the DPS Volunteer Network, please note that volunteers are screened to ensure they meet the necessary competencies. These competencies include but are not limited to:
- Have experience supporting individuals or families during crisis
- Available to respond to emergencies in their community or to deploy to other communities within BC
- Have a background in a helping profession such as (but not limited to):
- social work
- crisis response
- nursing
- counselling
- harm reduction
- victim services
- occupational therapy
Join the DPS Volunteer Network
DPS volunteers are managed by the Provincial DPS Team, under Health Emergency Management BC (HEMBC), a program of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA).
