Posted on: August 9, 2023
As summer continues, B.C. is experiencing an increased risk of wildfires and heat-related events. The Emergency Health Provider Registry (EHPR) is an online registry of health care professionals and health authority staff who may be able and willing to be deployed on a voluntary basis, or hired to respond to emergency events. The EHPR is an important part of B.C.'s plan to ensure the health care system is prepared to care for residents through any emergency.
For those of you who have not yet signed up but who would be willing and able to support emergency response to consider registering with the EHPR.
For those who are currently registered, you will be receiving an email asking you to confirm your continued interest in being on the registry and to update your information via a webform.
Signing up for the EHPR does not create an obligation for you to respond to emergency events, and participation in any deployment is always voluntary. I encourage you to discuss potential deployment with your supervisor prior to registering on the EHPR, as all deployments will require supervisor sign-off and may be subject to your department's operational needs. It is also important to remember that registration in the EHPR does not guarantee that you will be contacted for deployment, as this is dependent on the specific needs of each health authority.
Supervisors are encouraged to support registration and deployment, if feasible for your team.
If you have questions about this process, please refer to the Ministry of Health's website Health Provider Registry for BC's Emergency Response for answers to frequently asked questions and other updated information.
Thank you for your continued dedication to serving the people of Island Health, and your willingness to support people and communities in British Columbia through the provincial registry.
~ Sharon Torgerson, VP People