North Vancouver RCMP Staffing Challenges - Emergency Communications Professionals of British Columbia

Dear Members,

This afternoon management has sent out the following communication to members regarding North Vancouver RCMP Staffing Challenges and North Vancouver Emergency Call Taking and Dispatch Operations:

As you may be aware, the North Vancouver RCMP emergency call-taking and dispatch operation is facing significant staffing challenges. Given the urgency of the situation and potential impact to public safety, E-Comm has agreed to participate in preliminary discussions with the impacted police agencies and the Province, regarding options for a temporary solution. These discussions are ongoing and no decisions have been made.

In particular, we have been clear to all parties involved that we are not in a position to take on any new permanent clients at a time when our staffing and service levels are still under significant pressure. Given the seriousness of the situation and our important role supporting public safety in B.C., we feel we have a responsibility to participate in these discussions. That said, our top priority is to ensure that any potential assistance, even on a temporary basis, would minimize the impacts on our staff as well as service levels.

While nothing has been finalized, I wanted you to be aware these discussions were ongoing. Once there is an update, it will be shared with all of you. In the meantime, please reach out if you have any questions.

Amongst this uncertainty, our priorities remain the health and safety of our members, ensuring that management is taking urgent steps to increase staffing levels, and ensuring that our members are properly resourced to provide emergency communications services for British Columbians.

The Union will be monitoring the situation and will be in contact with management as this situation develops. As it stands now, we are advised nothing is finalized, and the discussions are ongoing. We will continue to share information as soon as we are able to with the membership.

In solidarity,

Donald Grant
President