B.C.’s interim chief ambulance officer says BCEHS is on track to fill the new paramedic and dispatch jobs that have been announced by the provincial government this year.

Leanne Heppell says it has been a challenging time for paramedics in the province because of an increasing number of calls.

“I continue to be impressed with the staff’s hard work, commitment and pride,” she said. “Despite the overall fatigue from rising call volumes, natural disasters, the ongoing opiate crisis and the persistence of the pandemic, the team’s commitment is strong to the citizen’s of British Columbia when people need emergency care.”

Her comments came as the government announced that ambulance stations in Ashcroft, Barriere, Lillooet, Sicamous, and Clearwater will all be moving to 24 hour service, next month.

“We know that citizens expect that when they call 9-1-1 with an urgent need, paramedics will arrive quickly and we are working to ensure that happens,” she added, noting BCEHS has been working hard to improve services to patients and to stabilize paramedic staffing, especially in rural and remote communities.

Heppell notes work has also been taking place to ensure that BCEHS staff are supported in their work as they care for patients.

“Our staff are grateful for the additional positions to help address the increased call volumes and patient needs and for the changes we’re making to ensure non-emergency calls are being met in different ways,” she added.

“I’m hearing excitement from many paramedics to finally have the opportunities to work in permanent positions in the communities they live in.”

Since 2017, the Province says the annual BCEHS budget has increased from $424.25 million to $559.12 million, doubling the average annual spending.

Since January 2021, they also note that 271 paramedics have been hired by BCEHS.