BC Ambulance Service (BCAS) has four Dispatch/Communications Centres, one in Kamloops, one in Vancouver and two in Victoria, which operate 24 hours a day 7 days a week. See: BC Ambulance Regional Dispatch Areas map [PDF - 946KB]
Lower Mainland Dispatch/Communications Centre
The Lower Mainland Dispatch/Communications Centre is located at 2955 Virtual Way in Vancouver and dispatches ambulances to over 30 communities as far East as Boston Bar, South to Manning Park in the Fraser Canyon and North to Whistler. The Sunshine Coast and Bowen Island are also served by this Centre. On average, there are 800 calls responded to on a daily basis. On a busy day, EMDs will respond to as many as 1200 calls, while 600 calls are handled on average days.
Interior/Northern Dispatch/Communications Centre
The Interior/Northern Dispatch/Communications Centre is located at 1257 Dalhousie Drive in Kamloops and provides service to all communities outside of the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island. One of the largest geographical Dispatch/Communications Centres in North America, the Centre processes an average of 500-600 calls a day and is responsible for dispatching ambulances to 98 communities throughout British Columbia.
Vancouver Island Dispatch/Communications Centre
The Vancouver Island Dispatch/Communications Centre is located at 4470 Markham Road in Victoria and dispatches ground based ambulance resources to all of Vancouver Island, Powell River and the surrounding Gulf Islands. On average, there are 250-300 calls responded to on a daily basis within the Vancouver Island Region. The Provincial Air Ambulance Coordination Center (PAACC) is also located at 4470 Markham Road and is responsible for coordinating and providing air and ground Critical Care Transport and non-critical air transports. Transports are primarily within the province and can be can be inter-provincial or international.
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