The province is hiring 85 new paramedics to handle rising calls and lower response times. (file photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Spencer Sterritt

response times

Province hiring more paramedics to meet rising demand

Jul 14, 2021 | 3:42 PM

NANAIMO — The recent heat wave and increased social gatherings stressed B.C.’s emergency health service.

In response, health minister Adrian Dix announced on Wednesday, July 14 85 paramedics and 30 dispatchers will be hired full-time. The province will also purchase 22 new ambulances and convert 22 rural stations into enhanced sites.

Six are scheduled to be running with plans for another 16 finalized by by October, 2021.

Dix said confidence in the 911 system was tested as wait times escalated during the heat wave.

“Now it needs to be strengthened and rested. Our emergency health service system must work better for people who call upon it. When we need help we call 911 and we must know help is quickly on the way.”

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Dix announced new oversight for BC Emergency Health Services, with a the board of directors shuffled to focus solely on ambulance services. The board will be led by Vancouver’s former chief constable Jim Chu.

“We’re going to ramp up services to meet those demands. I believe when people call 911 they should get the service they need. The response time for the average amount of calls must come down,” Dix said.

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