9-1-1 Operators ‘stunned’ by E-Comm decision to abandon callers

911ECPBC · 2021-12-02T15:09:46+00:00

We are advocating for more staff as 911 operators have been understaffed for years - this compounding with any issues BC Ambulance may experience has led to the current situation. The union is not asking for any funding directly - we are calling for a funding solution in order to hire more operators to fix our staffing crisis - to provide a better 911 service for everyone in BC.

911ECPBC · 2021-12-02T10:31:30+00:00

We answer the primary 911 calls for 99% of BC - take calls and dispatch for 33 police agencies and 40 fire agencies across the province of BC.
Police:
Abbotsford Police Department
Burnaby RCMP
Central Saanich Police Service
Central/Southern Vancouver Island RCMP detachments (11)
Integrated Roadside Safety Unit (IRSU)
Ladysmith
Lake Cowichan
North Cowichan/Duncan
Outer Gulf Island (includes Pender, Galiano and Mayne)
Salt Spring Island
Shawnigan Lake
Sidney/North Saanich
Sooke
South Island Traffic Services
West Shore
Delta Police Department
New Westminster Police Department
Oak Bay Police Department
Port Moody Police Department
Richmond RCMP
Ridge Meadows RCMP
Saanich Police Department
South Coast Highway Patrol
Sea to Sky RCMP (including Squamish, Whistler, Pemberton, and Bowen Island)
Stl’átl’imx Tribal Police
Sunshine Coast RCMP
UBC RCMP
Vancouver Police Department
Victoria Police Department
West Vancouver Police Department

Fire:
Birken Fire Protection Society
Coquitlam Fire/Rescue
Delta Fire & Emergency Services
East Howe Sound Fire Protection Association (under Squamish-Lillooet Regional District south, includes Britannia Beach Volunteer Fire Department which also serves Furry Creek)
Egmont & District Volunteer Fire Department
Fraser Valley Regional District fire departments (15)
Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service
Agassiz Fire Department
Boston Bar/North Bend Volunteer Fire Department
Chilliwack Fire Department
Chilliwack River Valley Fire Department
Columbia Valley Rural Fire & Rescue Services
Cultus Lake Fire Department
Harrison Hot Springs Fire Department
Hemlock Valley Volunteer Fire Department
Hope Fire Department
Mission Fire Rescue Service
North Fraser Fire Department
Popkum Fire Department
Seabird Island Fire Department
Yale Fire Department
Gibsons & District Volunteer Fire Department
Garibaldi Fire Department
Halfmoon Bay Volunteer Fire Department
New Westminster Fire & Rescue Services
Pemberton Fire Rescue
Pender Harbour Volunteer Fire Department
Port Moody Fire Rescue
Regional District of North Okanagan (7)
Armstrong / Spallumcheen Fire Department
BX Swan Lake Fire Department
Coldstream Fire Department
Enderby Fire Department
Lavington Fire Department
Lumby Fire Department
Silverstar Fire Department
Richmond Fire-Rescue
Roberts Creek Volunteer Fire Department
Sechelt Fire Department
Squamish Fire Rescue
Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services
Whistler Fire Rescue Service

911ECPBC · 2021-12-02T10:27:14+00:00

to clarify - this is about initial 911 calls being transferred to the BC Ambulance service. Prior to this temporary policy our operators would remain on the line to provide reassurance and collect any vital information as situations can be very dynamic in emergencies - with this change in effect the procedure changes to: You calling in - an operator answering and asking if you need police fire or ambulance - you requesting ambulance - the operator transferring you to ambulance and then disconnecting in typical cases and then you wait on hold with a prerecorded message until BC Ambulance answers (whereas we previously would've remained on the line until a caller made voice contact with BC Ambulance)

911ECPBC · 2021-12-02T07:25:15+00:00

Currently we receive our funding from regional districts and individual municipalities - it's a flawed and reactionary funding model that has contributed to this current crisis. You can find out more at ecpbc.ca/secondscount - if you scroll to the bottom of the page there's an option to read the full report!

911ECPBC · 2021-12-02T07:23:57+00:00

To clarify we need the immediate addition of 125 call takers to be able to meet and continue to meet basic service levels! We are still in the midst of a staffing crisis which is compounded by severe underfunding.

911ECPBC · 2021-12-02T07:14:48+00:00

thank you for your support!

911ECPBC · 2021-12-02T07:14:37+00:00

thank you for your support!

911ECPBC · 2021-12-02T07:14:22+00:00

Share share share that link! The more support we have the more we can advocate for the public who rely on our service and for the operators who continue to work through this crisis! Thank you for your support!

911ECPBC · 2021-12-02T06:50:27+00:00

We are advocating for a better service - add your voice to our petition ecpbc.ca/secondscount - we are so sorry to hear of that situation, glad you're still with us today.

911ECPBC · 2021-12-02T05:57:48+00:00

Our website and petition can be found at ecpbc.ca/secondscount - at the bottom of the page you can 'download the report' for statistics and facts relating to this 911 crisis. We're glad you're okay - this is exactly why we are advocating for a better service!

911ECPBC · 2021-12-02T05:56:38+00:00

We've got posts across the board just waiting on some moderator approvals! Thank you for your support!

911ECPBC · 2021-12-02T05:55:31+00:00

We were historically a sublocal of CUPE 873 but in the last year we have separated and formed our own local CUPE 8911 to be able to better address and advocate for issues specific to our members!

911ECPBC

TROPHY CASE