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Critical Care Program

Critical care paramedic transporting a patient
The BCEHS Critical Care Transport (CCT) Program provides specialized, emergency patient care and transport for critically-ill or injured patients across the province.
Overall, the program is the second-busiest in North America. In 2024, CCT paramedics transported 6,681 patients by air ambulance and 1,724 by ground ambulance. Critical care paramedics are deployed from bases across the province including Prince George, Richmond, Kelowna and Kamloops, Nanaimo and Vancouver. As of Dec 31, 2024, there are more than 100 critical care and infant transport paramedics. 

Infant Transport Team paramedics are based at BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver. They have completed advanced training and provide emergency medical care to pediatric, neo-natal and high-risk obstetric patients.

Critical care and infant transport paramedics use specialized helicopters, airplanes (air ambulances) and ground ambulances outfitted with specific equipment to provide critical care. Critical care and infant transport team paramedics especially bring a critical care unit to the patient’s side. 

Aviation services

Our Aviation program provides critical transportation linkages between hospitals and referral centres across the province for patients requiring a higher level of care.

 The BCEHS air ambulance program currently has a dedicated fleet of 15 air 
ambulances: 

  • Vancouver – airplanes (3) and helicopters (2)
  • Nanaimo – helicopter (1) 
  • Kamloops – helicopter (1)
  • Kelowna – airplanes (3)
  • Prince George – airplanes (2) and helicopter (1)
  • Prince Rupert – helicopter (1) 
  • Fort St John – airplane (1) 
BCEHS also utilizes approximately 35 pre-qualified air carriers throughout British Columbia to provide charter aircraft.

All requests for critical care transport services, including neonatal, maternal and pediatric transfers, are processed through the BC Patient Transfer Network (BCPTN).

BCEHS also contracts the services of air ambulance pilots, who are highly experienced, flying both day and night in varying weather conditions to respond to calls throughout the province. Thanks to flying standards that surpass even those required of the aviation industry by Transport Canada, BCEHS continues to achieve safe, effective and efficient air transports.
SOURCE: Critical Care Program ( )
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