The province announced that approximately 50 ambulance stations will see improved systems during “the largest hiring push in BC’s history in rural and remote locations.”
These improvements are a part of the commitment made in the BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) action plan that was announced in July.
“The significant progress made [...] will ensure a more effective ambulance service for patients and families who depend on it,” said Dix.
“Better support for paramedics and dispatchers will help them do the vital work we count on every day.”
At the end of October, 24 stations will begin to offer 24/7 services with eight full-time paramedics.
Some of those communities include Tofino, Ashcroft, Barriere, Lillooet, Princeton, Sicamous, Revelstoke, Peachland, Golden, Vanderhoof, Chetwynd and Fort Nelson.
By November, 26 smaller stations that are currently offering on-call positions will see more permanent and regular paramedic jobs.
Some of those communities include Atlin, Dease Lake, Edgewood, Field, Greenwood and Hudson’s Hope.
Jim Chu, chair for BCEHS, has been engaging with paramedics, communities and dispatch staff to help inform the three year action plan to make further improvements to ambulance services.
The next step of improvements will include:
hiring 85 new full-time paramedics in the Lower Mainland, Kamloops and Prince George
hiring 30 new full-time dispatchers
reconstituting the BCEHS board to focus solely on ambulance services
appointing a new chief ambulance officer to manage the BC Ambulance Service
These positions are expected to be filled between October and December.
In the last four years, the BCEHS annual budget has increased to $559.12 million which “means more paramedics, more dispatchers and more ambulances on the road.”
