We’ve come a long way in the last 50 years!

Before the creation of the Provincial Ambulance Service in 1974, there were over 300 groups providing ambulance services throughout the province, including fire departments, non-profits, and for-profit groups. There were no provincial standards for level-of-care.

While outliers existed, ambulance services had few women, Indigenous people or people of colour. Many did not even have first aid qualifications and were often referred to as ambulance drivers.

Some ambulance services were free, while others charged high fees. Patients were often transported in police wagons or pickup trucks. Ambulances were often unregulated or regulated by taxi bylaws.

Access to healthcare in rural and remote communities was nearly non-existent, and this disproportionately affected Indigenous groups. 

One of the loudest voices of support to create a provincial ambulance service was MLA Frank Calder, from the rural riding of Atlin B.C. 

Health Minister Dennis Cocke commissioned reports on emergency healthcare. These were done by Richard Foulkes and Peter Ransford. (The Foulkes and Ransford reports). Dr. Ransford is considered “the father” of the BC Ambulance Service, and he went on to be the chair of the Emergency Health Services Commission.

By the end of 1973, a plan was in place for a unified provincial ambulance service. The initial cost was estimated between $6.5M and $9.0M ($40M to $65M, adjusted for inflation).

By the end of 1974 the ambulance service had a fleet of only 19 vehicles. Government Air Service aircraft did double duty, flying government VIPs around the province and acted as air ambulances when required.

Initial growth was slow, it took years to absorb all the smaller services, to deliver standardized training and to build the infrastructure across the province.

With the creation of the role of Emergency Medical Assistants (EMAs), which were the equivalent of a paramedic at the time, instructors needed to travel throughout the entire province to bring the standardized level of care to all communities.

The highest classification of EMA at the time, EMA3s, were highly skilled technicians trained by physicians at Royal Columbian Hospital. Some programs like the Infant Transport Team (ITT) were specializations that were unique around the world.

Service to rural and remote communities was improved drastically by the introduction of marine ambulances as well as dedicated air ambulances.

Today the ambulance service has evolved, serving over six million British Columbians over and area that’s larger than France and Germany combined. 

In addition to our 911 emergency responses, we also work with healthcare teams in rural and remote communities around the province to help bring healthcare to those with chronic health conditions.

Now we have over 5000 skilled paramedics, emergency medical call takers, emergency medical dispatchers, as well as a fleet of dedicated marine, air and ground ambulances. Our patient transfer teams organize and coordinate the movement of thousands of patients every year. 

Significant government investment in staffing, physical resources and employee wellbeing have positioned us to move into the future stronger than ever before. As we continue to improve and excel, we’re now guided by the gifted Coast Salish teachings of knowledge keeper Sulksun. These teachings will ground us and focus us as we move forward.

As part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA), BCEHS is learning to live these principles and how we show up for each other and the patients we serve. We are working every day to be Eyhh Slaxin (good medicine) to those we work with and care for and being a stronger, more supportive and diverse organization where every employee can do their best work. 

We’re proud of our 50 years of service to British Columbians and we’re excited to see what the next 50 years will bring.