Photo via BC EHS
The B.C. Government says it will be replacing its fleet of air ambulance planes by the fall of next year.
Premier David Eby says the 12 new Beechcraft King Air 360CHW ambulances will be able to land on gravel runways and access more rural and remote communities.
“Our province is facing massive growth. We have infrastructure that is aging, that was not replaced for a generation, and we can’t rely on the infrastructure of our parents and grandparents anymore,” Eby said.
All of the planes will have the ability to carry advanced neonatal incubators and other life-support machines.
Leanne Heppell, the chief ambulance officer with B.C. Emergency Health Services, said the new fleet will make the province a world leader in air-ambulance care.
“These new aircraft are the closest equivalent to flying an intensive care unit,” she said.
“They will enable our paramedics, including those who have our highest level of training, our critical care paramedics and our infant transport team, to provide excellent emergency medical care, improving health outcomes and saving lives.”
Nine of the airplanes will be in regular operation, the first of which went into service on May 1, with the other three serving as backups. There will be three planes each in Vancouver and Kelowna, with two in Prince George and one in Fort St. John.
“Upgrading B.C.’s fleet with next-generation airplanes means patients will have improved comfort and care during transport, while paramedics benefit from consistent features and layout across the fleet,” Health Minister Adrian Dix said.
B.C.’s current air ambulance program has a fleet of 15 aircraft in regular operation, including helicopters and airplanes, with one helicopter stationed in Kamloops.
The Health Ministry says there were 8,290 air-ambulance responses in 2023-24, a 19 per cent increase compared with 2017-18.
Dix also said the province will be replacing its helicopter air ambulances, with more details coming soon.
B.C.’s air ambulance program has a fleet of 15 aircraft in regular operation, including helicopters and airplanes.
The Health Ministry said there were 8,290 air-ambulance responses in 2023-24, a 19 per cent increase compared with 2017-18.
– With files from The Canadian Press
