A love for people is what motivates Liz Jones to volunteer with 100 Mile House's Emergency Support Services (ESS).
Jones serves as the 100 Mile ESS' director, a role she has held for 22 years. As director, Jones is responsible for organizing and managing her team during times of emergency to support those displaced by disasters such as wildfires.
"It doesn't matter who they are or where they come from, everybody has a story and so much to give and share. When you're volunteering, you get to meet these people and hear their stories. Sometimes there are fabulous ones, sometimes there are some pretty ugly ones, depending on what part you're in, but it's the communication with your community and your people," Jones said. "We've met so many amazing people through volunteering and ESS. (Volunteering) brings communities together and it is beautiful to see how communities come together."
Jones first moved to the community in 1982 with her family, where she raised her two children with her husband. She noted the South Cariboo was a "marvellous place" to raise a family and that she worked in healthcare for 33 years before retiring. Her volunteerism first started when her children were young, with Jones serving as a Cub Leader, a helper for the Girl Guides, ordering uniforms for her children's baseball team and helping organize the Relay For Life, among other roles.
These days, outside of ESS, Jones is a commissioner for the 108 Mile Ranch Greenbelt Commission and a member of the 108 Mile Ranch Lions. She noted, by choice, she enjoys putting in a lot of volunteer hours but remarked wryly that she needs to learn how to say "no" sometimes.
"Those few hours (of volunteering) are invaluable to the community and you get so much self-worth and esteem out of it," Jones said. "It's a really good way to meet your neighbours."
Her time with the 100 Mile ESS first began during the 2003 wildfire season, specifically while the McLure Fire was burning near Barriere. At the time, Donna Barnett, then the mayor of the District of 100 Mile House, had been trying to get the 100 Mile ESS off the ground, serving as the group's director. Wanting to help those displaced by the fires, Jones decided to join ESS.
At the time, Jones said that ESS was a relatively new program in B.C. and she had never even heard of it before deciding to join. Jones and the other initial volunteers were trained by the Williams Lake ESS, themselves a new organization, before having to learn on the ground.
"Evidently, I did fairly well because after the two weeks of fire and the week of clean up afterwards, they sent me to the Justice Institute for the director's course," Jones remarked. "I did everything backwards. I had to take the beginners' courses to go up to that."
Since its founding, 100 Mile ESS has grown to 32 members, though Jones noted around eight of her team members are currently on leave for various reasons. Jones' primary role is to look after these volunteers, ensure their training is up to date and to make them feel valued for their contributions. She works closely with 100 Mile Fire Rescue, noting fire chief Dave Bissat is her boss.
Jones explained ESS is the "heart of disaster" and is there for the community when things go wrong. Whether or not that's a single house burning down or a major wildfire, ESS is intended to house, clothe and feed those impacted by a disaster, as needed. Many people won't need help from ESS, but many do, with Jones noting they have found more and more people need the help in recent years.
Typically, Jones said the support ESS provides is meant to last for 72 hours, but can be extended if the event is going to last longer. Factors like the weather will also impact what ESS can offer, and Jones said she'll also refer people to other agencies that can offer them support as needed. ESS will provide people with a change of clothes, vouchers for food and anything else someone might need.
"We're there to listen. Sometimes people just need to talk and get the experience out. If they need more help, we can do referrals to other agencies in town," Jones said. "We do not do first aid or medical treatments on anyone, we will call 911 if it's that kind of event.
"Pets are a huge part of it now. They recently included pets under the Emergency Preparedness Plan for the province. Before, they were kind of not part of that plan, but we knew they were important. Pets, if you've ever had one, are part of your family and it's so important to look after them too."
Jones noted her prior experience in health care lent itself well to her volunteer work with ESS, explaining both roles allowed her to get to know the various other community groups in town and what they offer. Whenever an emergency arises, this means she knows what they can offer her and those she's trying to help.
"It's a really amazing community to belong to, the Emergency Support Services group. We're provincial and we train with other teams throughout the province and once a year, we get together. It's such an amazing experience to have a team of volunteers that believe in the same things we do," Jones said. "I wouldn't trade it for any other job in the world."
In part for her work with ESS, earlier this year, Jones received a King Charles Coronation Medal to recognize her service to the community. Jones said being recognized was a very humbling experience.
"It makes me feel very humble and appreciative of being acknowledged by my friends and the people who put me forward. It was a very nice reception in Prince George and there were five of us there from the area that received that medal," Jones said.
Anyone looking to join the 100 Mile ESS can call them at 250-644-0146 to find out more.
