BC Emergency Health Services improves paramedic staffing models in Tumbler Ridge, Hudson’s Hope

TUMBLER RIDGE, B.C. – Ambulance response times should be faster from now on in two Peace region communities thanks to an expansion from BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS).

BCEHS changed its paramedic staffing models for 60 communities across northern BC, including Tumbler Ridge and Hudson’s Hope, on April 1st. The changes were announced last November.

Tumbler Ridge was shifted to what the health organization calls an “alpha” staffing model, with eight full-time positions and paramedics staffing the ambulance station 24/7.

The station in Hudson’s Hope, meanwhile, now operates on a “mixed-shift” schedule, with paramedics at the station 16 hours a day and on call for the remaining eight hours.

Both stations previously used a “scheduled on-call” system where paramedics were present for eight hours and carried pagers at all other times.

The changes came into effect on April 1st as part of a provincial initiative to improve ambulance service for rural and remote communities across the province.

“In our many discussions with community leaders in these rural and remote communities, we heard how critically important paramedic services are to them,” said BCEHS Chief Ambulance Officer Leanne Heppell.

“These improved paramedic staffing models and the increase in full-time and regular part-time positions together with the changes we are making to enhance community paramedicine services, are an exciting investment in the health and well-being of our patients in rural and remote British Columbia.”

According to BCEHS, even though the changes have already been made, recruitment to fill the new positions is still ongoing.

The transition has opened up 261 full-time paramedic positions in rural communities and 238 full-time equivalent jobs throughout the province.