The BC Ambulance Service operates four Dispatch/Communications Centres; three Regional Centres based in Kamloops, Vancouver and Victoria, from which ambulances are deployed, and the Provincial Air Ambulance Coordination Centre located in Victoria, which manages all responses requiring air ambulance transport. These fast-paced call Centres operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week and are the first point of contact for people requiring emergency pre-hospital care.
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 Lytton and Boston Bar, South to Manning Park in the Fraser Canyon and North to Pemberton and Lillooet. The Sunshine Coast and Bowen Island are also served by this Centre. On average, the centre responds to 900 calls and 250 interfacility transfers on a daily basis. On a busy day, EMDs will respond to as many as 1,400 calls.
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 Regions. 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.
Provincial Air Ambulance Coordination Center
Victoria is also home to the Provincial Air Ambulance Coordination Center (PAACC), located at 4470 Markham Road. The PAACC 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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