Image: An image of the Beechcraft King Air 360 aircraft that will make up the new fleet of air ambulances announced June 7, 2024 by the provincial government / Carson Air facebook

By Fraser Valley Today Staff

Beechcraft King Air

New air ambulance fleet to enhance care for B.C. medical patients

Jun 7, 2024 | 11:57 AM

RICHMOND — Patients in need of emergency travel for medical care will benefit from a new state-of-the-art fleet of air ambulances, ensuring faster and higher quality service across British Columbia.

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

BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) is replacing its existing fleet with 12 new Beechcraft King Air 360CHW air ambulances. Nine of the airplanes will be in regular operation and three will be backups. The first new planes went into service on May 1 as part of a $673 million provincial investment over 10 years.

“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,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health.

The new aircraft feature capabilities beneficial to patients across the province, including the ability to land on gravel runways, expanded specialized care capabilities, and improved safety with power stretcher compatibility. The uniform layout and design also promise to improve patient outcomes and expand flight crew efficiency.

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Air ambulances will continue to be stationed in their current locations: three each in Vancouver and Kelowna, two in Prince George, and one in Fort St. John. The aircraft serve as the fastest mode of transportation, particularly for patients in remote areas, and are used both in emergency responses and interfacility transfers.

In a news release, the Ministry of Health says paramedics, dispatchers, and call takers responded to 596,014 emergency medical events and completed 71,198 interfacility patient transfers, including 8,290 patient transports involving air resources in 2023-24. About 70 per cent of calls for air ambulances used airplanes, while 30 per cent utilized helicopters.