B.C.’s air ambulance fleet upgraded

New, state-of-the-art air ambulance airplanes are ready for people needing emergency transport for medical care.

B.C. Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) is replacing its existing fleet of air ambulances with 12 new Beechcraft King Air 360HW airplanes.

Nine of the planes will be in regular operation and the remaining three will be used as backups. The first of the new aircraft went into service on May 1.

“When someone you love is critically ill or injured, they deserve the best and fastest care possible,” Premier David Eby said.

“Throughout this vast province, we are building new hospitals, cancer-care clinics and urgent primary care centres. By deploying new air ambulances, we are ensuring patients get the quality care they need quickly.”

The new planes, which the province is procuring through a $673-million investment over 10 years, are the fastest way to travel to health-care facilities, and have several features that will benefit patients including the ability to land on gravel runways, expanded capabilities for specialized care, power stretcher capability to improve patient and paramedic safety, and a uniform layout and design to improve patient outcomes and expanded flight crews.

“B.C.’s air ambulances make sure that patients, often with the most critical-care needs, can quickly access the health care they need,” Health Minister Adrian Dix said.

“Upgrading B.C.’s fleet with next-generation airplanes means patients will have improved comfort and care during transport, while paramedics benefit from consistent features and layout across the fleet.”

Three of the air ambulances are stationed in Kelowna. Another three are in Vancouver, while two are located in Prince George and one is based out of Fort St. John.

The new air ambulances are being purchased from Carson Air.