911 wait times in B.C.: More dispatchers to be hired in coming weeks to address issues
More dispatchers will be hired to address the longer-than-usual wait times for those who need emergency aid in British Columbia.
B.C. Emergency Health Services told CTV News it's aware of the issues those who call 911 are facing as they wait to be connected to emergency medical call takers.
Some say they've been put on hold or had to wait for a longer period of time for their call to be answered. Others say they haven't been able to get through at all.
It's been on ongoing problem, with E-Comm, B.C.'s multi-municipality agency that connects 911 callers to the proper emergency service provider, warning as recently as Monday of high call volumes and increased wait times.
E-Comm explained previously that the waits are largely due to staffing shortages with BCEHS, and that when a caller can't get through or is put on hold when calling 911, it may be because an E-Comm dispatcher is waiting with a previous caller for a BCEHS counterpart to answer the phone.
BCEHS said Tuesday it's working with the province to hire and train more than 30 new staff members between now and December. A spokesperson said that's in addition to 25 jobs recently added at three dispatch centres.
"BCEHS has also increased clinical support in dispatch centres (using paramedic specialists, nurses and doctors) to help triage and manage calls and 24-7 manager support in dispatch to help with delays and escalation," the spokesperson said in an email.
In the meantime, callers are urged to ensure they're only dialing 911 for something truly considered an emergency and, in cases where their condition isn't urgent and it's safe to do so, find another way to get to a nearby hospital, so paramedics can respond to critical patients.
"If you receive a recorded message when trying to get through to the ambulance service, please stay on the line as that is the fastest way to get help," BCEHS said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
DEVELOPING Hamas accepts Gaza ceasefire proposal from Egypt and Qatar
Hamas said it has accepted a ceasefire deal proposed by Egypt and Qatar, which seeks to halt the seven-month war with Israel in Gaza, prompting Israel to say it would send a delegation to negotiate – though it warned the proposal remained far from the 'necessary requirements.'
NDP calls out Conservatives for effort to quash pharmacare legislation
The federal New Democrats are calling out Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and his party for trying to block the bill that could pave the way for millions of Canadians to access birth control and diabetes coverage.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Manitoba Court of Appeal dismisses Peter Nygard's appeal of extradition order
The Manitoba Court of Appeal has dismissed Peter Nygard's application for a judicial review of an order to extradite the former fashion mogul to the United States, where he faces sex trafficking and racketeering charges.
For the first time, researchers have identified a genetic form of late-in-life Alzheimer's disease
For the first time, researchers have identified a genetic form of late-in-life Alzheimer’s disease — in people who inherit two copies of a worrisome gene.
B.C. court date set for 3 accused of murdering Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three suspects accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year are scheduled to appear in court in Surrey on Tuesday.