E-Comm began its public safety journey when it started answering 9-1-1 calls and providing dispatch services for police and fire departments on June 7, 1999. E-Comm now operates two 9-1-1 call centres and is the first point of contact for 9-1-1 callers in 25 regional districts across B.C. We also own and operate the largest multi-jurisdictional radio network of its kind in the province. All police agencies, 15 fire departments and B.C. Emergency Health Services in Metro Vancouver and Abbotsford use the E-Comm Wide-Area Radio Network to communicate their essential messages.
Here’s a look at other numbers that show the growth of E-Comm’s services over the last two decades.
In 1999 we started with 177 employees in one location. Today, we are a team of more than 650 in four locations.
In 1999, we were the first point of contact for 9-1-1 callers in two regional districts in B.C. Today, we’re the Public Safety Answer Point for 25 regional districts.
In 1999, we dispatched for eight agencies. Today, we are now providing dispatch services for 73 police and fire agencies.
In 1999, the E-Comm radio system had 1,300 radios. Now, police officers, fire fighters and ambulance paramedics in the Lower Mainland are actively communicating on some 7,000 next-generation radios.
As E-Comm marks 20 years of service, we extend a big thank you to our past and current staff, partners, board members and stakeholders. We’re working together to help save lives and protect property in B.C.
The official opening of the new South Island 9-1-1/Police Dispatch Centre
The completion of E-Comm’s latest fire dispatch transitions as we welcome fire departments from the Fraser Valley and North Okanagan regional districts
Our new wellness manager and certified therapy dog – a unique initiative to support emergency call takers and dispatchers
Emergency dispatchers, nurses and publicly funded health-care assistants will have easier access to workers’ compensation for mental-health disorders that come from work-related trauma.
Regulatory changes that take effect on Tuesday, April 16, 2019, make this possible. “These changes to the Mental Disorder Presumption Regulation are about fairness and support for workers who experience higher-than-average mental harm due to the jobs they do on behalf of British Columbians,” said Harry Bains, B.C. Minister of Labour.
“This is good news for B.C.’s emergency call takers and dispatchers,” said Oliver Grüter-Andrew, E-Comm President and CEO. “There is no doubt that, day in and day out, our people can experience high levels of emotional stress, as they work to save lives and support police and firefighters. They are the first contact for people experiencing trauma and that is often traumatic for them, as well.”
See the B.C. Government news release for more details.
Oliver Grüter-Andrew, CEO of E-Comm at the podium. Left to right: Senior Provincial Executive Director Neil Lilley from BC Emergency Health Services, E-Comm dispatcher Nicolas Germain and B.C. Labour Minister Harry Bains. Photo: Province of B.C.
It’s Emergency Service Dispatchers’ and 9-1-1 Awareness Week (April 7-13, 2019). Proclaimed by the Province of B.C., the annual week recognizes the critical role of call takers and dispatchers in keeping the public and police, fire and ambulance personnel safe. Watch this video for some messages from E-Comm’s police and fire dispatch partners.
B.C’s largest 9-1-1 team has added two new team members: Lynn Gifford, a specialist in trauma stewardship, joins E-Comm as its full-time Workplace Wellness manager along with certified assistance dog Koltan, a four-year-old Yellow Labrador Retriever.
“We are honoured to be able to work directly with this team of dedicated emergency communications professionals,” said Gifford. “Whether they are answering or dispatching emergency calls or maintaining critical technology that are lifelines for first responders, the work of E-Comm staff is essential to public safety.”
Before joining E-Comm, Gifford and Koltan were focused on supporting police, paramedics, nurses and social workers, who can also experience trauma in their line of work while caring for others.
Find out more about how this initiative will help those on the frontlines of emergency communications.
Koltan and Lynn Gifford
Lynn Gifford, a specialist in trauma stewardship, joins E-Comm as its full-time Workplace Wellness manager along with certified assistance dog Koltan, a four-year-old Yellow Labrador Retriever.
Koltan April 8 2019
Koltan is E-Comm's Certified Therapy Dog. He joined the organization in spring 2019.
