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Ministry of Health

National Emergency Stockpile System

The National Emergency Stockpile System (NESS) is primarily funded and maintained through the Public Health Agency of Canada, based out of Ottawa. Every province and territory also assists in maintaining the condition of these supplies by keeping them up-to-date.

NESS has been designed to ensure there are enough federal health care supplies available to help affected communities during times of extreme emergency or disaster. Any of these provisions can be delivered to any community on short notice (within 24 hours), designed to be set-up in existing buildings such as schools and community centres.

Large quantities of essential health and social service supplies are stored at various locations across Canada, making sure that provisions are always readily available. A number of communities in British Columbia store and maintain a variety of supply units, ranging from the 200-Bed Emergency/mobile hospital, to basic first aid stations and reception centre capabilities.

Supplies are designed and packaged for long-term storage and contain no dated items, medications and pharmaceuticals. Date-sensitive supplies remain in Ottawa or at manufacturer's facilities until needed.

One of the federal program's ongoing responsibilities is to provide training for federal, provincial and municipal health and emergency social services' personnel on the benefits and uses of the supplies and equipment contained within NESS.

Federal, provincial, and territorial governments maintain open communication to review the program and strategies to improve the program.