2023 R06 – BC Emergency Health Services/ Demands on Local Governments
- Year: 2023
- AVICC Number: R06
- UBCM Number: EB6
- Port Alberni
Whereas medical first responder call volume data taken locally and provincially reflects an upward trajectory year over year;
And whereas this increased trajectory of medical first responder call volume is disproportionately higher for municipal emergency responders than those reported by British Columbia Emergency Health Services [BCEHS];
And whereas BCEHS is responsible for the delivery, co-ordination and governance of emergency health services and can and does consent to other organizations, primarily fire departments, providing these services as part of a co-ordinated response;
And whereas a number of challenges are present in achieving a coordinated approach to the access and provision of emergency health services including that of increased service demands congruent to the varied capacity for fire departments to provide first responder services across the province:
Therefore be it resolved that the AVICC and UBCM urge the Ministry of Health to work with local governments and BCEHS to improve the coordinated approach to emergency health services that results in adequate funding and staffing levels so as to not overburden local government first responders.
- Year: 2023
- AVICC Number: R06
- Sponsor: Port Alberni
- Resolution Type: Provincial
- Category: Health and Social Development
- AVICC Decision: Endorsed as amended
- AVICC Amendment: Amended to include UBCM in the enactment clause since the issue impacts UBCM members from across the Province, and to clarify the requested action.
- AVICC Action: Conveyed to UBCM
- AVICC Response link
- UBCM Number: EB6
- UBCM Decision: Endorsed as amended
- UBCM Amendment: Amended to remove "AVICC and" since the UBCM delegation can only request that UBCM take action.
- UBCM Response: Provincial Response: Ministry of Health The support provided by First Responders FRs during medical emergencies is an essential part of the delivery of pre-hospital emergency health services to the people of British Columbia. BC Emergency Health Services BCEHS and the Province value the role that FRs play in pre-hospital emergency care. BCEHS notifies first responder agencies who have agreements with BCEHS of time critical calls. Establishing an agreement with BCEHS is voluntary and each municipality, including the City of Port Alberni, can determine the extent of their participation and the calls they respond to. This approach provides municipalities with the ability to directly manage all costs associated with their participation in pre-hospital care. Some municipalities have chosen to have FRs continue to attend both urgent and routine non-emergency calls, while others have elected to have first responders attend only urgent medical calls where a patients condition will benefit from initial care. Through continued and increased investment, the BC government is supporting BCEHS to take targeted action to improve emergency health services throughout the province. Between April 1, 2022, and March 31, 2023, BCEHS announced 800 new hires across BCEHS paramedics, dispatch, and support services into existing vacancies and new positions the largest expansion of staffing in BCEHS history. BCEHS has also increased ground and air ambulances coverage throughout the province, implemented a more efficient 9-1-1 system, increased training for paramedics and provided funding to support the mental health and wellness of BCEHS employees. In addition, to improve ambulance services in 60 rural and remote communities, a new staffing model has launched to provide consistent and reliable community-based out of hospital care which adds 271 new full time paramedic positions to the province. As part of this new approach, 55.2 stand alone, full-time community paramedic positions will be dedicated to providing community-based care and community outreach through the new model. BCEHS is committed to providing timely, high quality and safe pre-hospital care for patients throughout British Columbia, while using public resources in an effective and efficient manner. As part of this commitment, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with BCEHS, fire departments, municipalities and other stakeholders, are working together to implement a coordinated approach to pre-hospital care that will ensure people throughout the province have access to the out-of-hospital care they need. BCEHS understands that an essential part of the delivery of emergency health services is working together to ensure a responsive system. BCEHS remains committed to working with stakeholders and local government to find ways to improve services.
- UBCM Response link
The AVICC acknowledges that we are grateful to live, work, and play on the traditional territories of theCoast Salish, Nuu-Chah-Nulth and Kwak-Waka’wakw Peoples