VANCOUVER— CUPE 8911 applauds the B.C. government’s move to launch a comprehensive review of E-Comm, the corporation that provides emergency communication services across B.C. As the union representing more than seven hundred 9-1-1 operators, dispatchers, and support staff at E-Comm, we are ready and willing to share our 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,” said CUPE 8911 President Donald 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, and has also flagged systemic governance issues at E-Comm. “It’s not just about service and response levels,” said Donald 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,” added 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.”
About CUPE 8911, Emergency Communications Professionals of BC:
CUPE 8911, the Emergency Communications Professionals of BC, represents more than seven hundred 9-1-1 operators, call takers, dispatchers, IT, and support professionals employed by E-Comm Emergency Communications for BC Inc. With worksites in Vancouver, Burnaby, and Saanich, members provide 99% of the initial 9-1-1 call answer for the province and answer, triage, dispatch and update emergency calls for 34 police agencies and 40 fire departments across the province.
