Vancouver, BC – Emergency Communications Professionals of BC say the start of a Request for Proposals (RFP) process is an important step in the long-awaited review of E-Comm, the corporation that provides emergency communication services across the province – and 9-1-1 services.
The Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General recently confirmed that the Director of Police Services will initiate an independent study and investigation under the Police Act into the governance, financial and operational effectiveness of E-Comm and 9-1-1 provision in BC. The Minister suggests the decision was prompted by consistent and ongoing concerns raised by stakeholders, including BC’s first response agencies, their boards, local governments, and the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM).
CUPE 8911, Emergency Communications Professionals of BC, represents more than seven hundred 9-1-1 operators, dispatchers, and support staff at E-Comm- and has long advocated for a review to address systemic issues that include chronic underfunding and understaffing. President Donald Grant says they are ready and willing to share insights and frontline experience.
“Communities across B.C. have expressed serious concerns about local emergency services. As the people who answer 9-1-1 calls from across the province, our members have firsthand experience and share those concerns. We are pleased to see this next step in the review process,” said Grant. “We have been raising alarm bells about the challenges facing our 9-1-1 response system and look forward to finally having the opportunity to share our knowledge and insights in a meaningful way.”
CUPE 8911 has been expressing concerns about service and staffing levels for years, along with systemic governance issues at E-Comm. “It’s not just about service and response levels,” continued Grant. “There are serious problems with the governance structure at E-Comm which lead to a lack of accountability and transparency to the communities and the people it is meant to serve.”
CUPE 8911 is not alone in their concerns about the service levels, staff shortages, operational capacity and sustainability of E-Comm. Local governments across B.C. have raised similar concerns about E-Comm operations and services, along with questions about its transparency and accountability.
“Families across B.C. should be able to rely on emergency services whenever and wherever they need it. That doesn’t happen without a reliable, responsive, 9-1-1 system that is fully resourced and staffed,” concluded Grant. “We hope this review will help establish a fully public 9-1-1 system that serves British Columbians and supports the 9-1-1 operators doing this important work.”