B.C.'s 911 dispatch operator warns of high call volume, long wait times
B.C.'s largest emergency dispatch operator issued a warning Thursday about long wait times, which meant some callers heard a recorded message while they waited for assistance.
E-Comm, which handles the vast majority of 911 calls in B.C., posted to social media Thursday night about the delays, especially for those waiting to be transferred to the ambulance service.
Some people who heard a recorded message reportedly hung up.
"If you call and hear a recorded message, please DO NOT hang. We will answer your call as soon as possible," the agency tweeted. "You will get help faster by staying on the line."
Those reporting a non-emergency were asked to make reports online if possible.
B.C. Emergency Health Services told CTV News Vancouver by email that it has experienced a high number of medical emergency calls over the past couple days. Non-urgent calls in Vancouver had a wait time of about two hours on Thursday.
BCEHS said it saw the second-highest day for medical emergency calls for overdoses on Wednesday. In a 24-hour period, 173 calls were made. Thursday also saw a high number of calls for overdoses with 157. Of those, 44 were in Vancouver alone.
"Our dispatchers and medical emergency call takers have very challenging, high-pressure jobs, more so during peak call volumes," BCEHS said in the emailed statement.
"The public can help us by ensuring they are only calling 911 if they have a medical emergency. If it’s medical advice that’s needed, or a non-urgent concern, please call 811 to speak to a nurse."
By about 10:15 p.m., E-Comm said 911 emergency lines were stabilizing. Police non-emergency lines still had wait times at that point, however.
With files from CTV News Vancouver's Nafeesa Karim
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.
N.L. gardening store revives 19th century seed-packing machine
Technology from the 19th century has been brought out of retirement at a Newfoundland gardening store, as staff look for all the help they can get to fill orders during a busy season.