Joint Memo Release Aug 6/21
Dear Members,
RE: Joint Memo – BCEHS / APBC New 24/7 Alpha Units and changes to SOC Rollout
As a follow up to previous announcements regarding additional paramedic and dispatch positions and as part of BC Health Minister’s July 14th announcement about additional resources for BCEHS, 22 stations previously identified through the Collective Agreement to become SOC stations will now convert to 24/7 Alpha stations. Due to follow up recommendations, there will now also be an additional two stations added to that list, bringing the number of additional rural stations converting to 24/7 ambulance coverage, to 24. Tofino and Lake Cowichan were both added as stations to convert to 24/7 Alpha. See joint memo {here}.
Additionally, 26 remote stations scheduled to adopt the CP SOC UC (community paramedic SOC Unit Chief) model will be changed to the CP SOC model, introducing more permanent positions for these communities.
We’re pleased that these additional positions will provide more opportunities for paramedics, contribute to the evolution of service in rural and remote communities.
It is important to note that all of these new resources and expansion of our services are separate initiatives from the Rural, Remote and Indigenous Framework and separate from other strategic planning initiatives currently in development. We are working hard on many of the other initiates and actions and will continue to update you as they unfold.
I want to thank you all for your patience as we work through these changes, I also want to recognize the incredible work being done by your APBC Executive in collaboration with the new BCEHS leadership led by BCEHS EVP and CAO Leanne Heppell.
Be well,
Troy Clifford
Provincial President
Ambulance Paramedics of BC
CUPE Local 873
Please click HERE to view PDF version of this message.
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