British Columbia Emergency Health Services

Prior to 1974, ambulance services in British Columbia were provided by a mixture of volunteer ambulance brigades, fire departments, funeral homes, and private operators. As a result of recommendations made by the Foulkes Commission's report on health care, titled "Health Security for British Columbians" released in 1973, the Government of British Columbia created the Emergency Health Services Commission (EHSC), which in turn created the BC Ambulance Service on July 4, 1974. On March 13, 2013, the Emergency Health Services Commission (EHSC) was renamed BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) and placed under the jurisdiction of the Provincial Health Services Authority. In July 2021, in response to the events of the 2021 Heat Dome, B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix created a separate board of directors for BCEHS, with the board reporting directly to the B.C Minister of Health.

BCEHS's air ambulance program consists of a fleet of ten fixed-wing aircraft with three each in Vancouver and Kelowna, two in Prince George, and one each in Nanaimo and Fort St. John. Additional aircraft are chartered on an as-needed basis. In addition to its planes, BCEHS operates six dedicated air ambulance helicopters, two based in Vancouver, one in Nanaimo, one in Kamloops, one in Prince George, and one in Prince Rupert. BCEHS also utilizes approximately 35 pre-qualified charter carriers throughout British Columbia. Helijet, an airline based in Richmond, B.C., provides helicopters, pilots, and maintenance crews to their Sikorsky S76 helicopters contracted by BCEHS in Vancouver and Prince Rupert. Helijet has been servicing BCEHS since 1988, expanding to Prince Rupert in 2011. The Sikorsky air ambulances can carry up to 2 stretchers and 4 medical attendants and can travel a maximum distance of 200 miles (320 km), serving a 100 mile radius from their base.

In 2023, BCEHS announced Ascent Helicopters Ltd. was awarded a 10-year, $554.4 million (CAD) contract to provide air ambulance service. Seven Leonardo AW169 helicopters were expected to enter service in the fall of 2024, replacing existing Helijet service.

BC Air Ambulance operates bases and airevac teams at stations: Parksville (180), Vancouver International (280), BC Children's and Womens Hospital ITT (283), Kamloops (370), Kelowna (380), Prince George (580), Prince Rupert (684), and Fort St John (860.)

Critical Care Paramedic & Specialization

Critical Care Paramedic (Adult CCT), Critical Care Paramedic (MNP.)