Kent-Harrison Emergency Social Services had a busy spell at the end of 2014 assisting four Agassiz families that had to be evacuated from their homes in four weeks.
The first incident was on November 17 when a family’s home on Agassiz Avenue was heavily damaged by fire. A second situation on November 26 saw a family on Heath Road evacuated because of high levels of carbon monoxide in their home. Lastly, two families on Sheffield Drive had to be evacuated as their homes were in close vicinity to the house explosion that took place on December 12.
Kent-Harrison Emergency Social Services assisted evacuees by coordinating shelter, food, clothing, and other support for up to 72 hours after each respective incident.
Emergency Social Services is part of the local government’s Emergency Program, which is provincially mandated. The Emergency Social Services Team is a volunteer organization. Currently there are three members in the organization and new applicants are welcome. Information about emergency social services can be found at www.ess.bc.ca and applications for volunteers to join Kent-Harrison Emergency Social Services are located at www.district.kent.bc.ca/dh-emergency-services.html.
Pierre Groenenboom
Emergency Social Services Coordinator
Kent Harrison Emergency Program