Blog | 911 Emergency Dispatcher | 911 Emergency Dispatch

E-Comm welcomes the appointment of special mediator Vince Ready to assist in reaching a fair and sustainable collective agreement with CUPE 8911, as announced by the Minister of Labour on June 6, 2026.

With this appointment, any potential job action ceases and E-Comm will head into mediation to finalize a collective agreement without labour disruption.

Vince Ready will work collaboratively with E-Comm and the Union for up to 10 days to resolve outstanding bargaining issues. This process will result in a new collective agreement for E-Comm and its employees.

E-Comm and CUPE 8911 mutually reached out to BC’s Ministry of Labour yesterday with the request for a special mediator, as CUPE 8911 had previously declined E-Comm’s offers for assistance through both mediation and interest arbitration.

“Our priority from the beginning of collective bargaining has been to reach a fair and equitable agreement that supports our employees and the vital work they do, while ensuring the continuity of the critical services British Columbians rely on,” says Greg Conner vice-president of People & Culture at E-Comm. “We welcome Vince Ready’s appointment as special mediator and are committed to working cooperatively to finalize an agreement over the coming week.”

E-Comm confirms that the essential emergency communication services British Columbians rely on will remain uninterrupted following CUPE 8911’s issuance of 72-hour strike notice.

While the strike notice has been issued, the parties are continuing negotiations over the weekend in an effort to reach an agreement. E-Comm fully supports the requested appointment of a Special Mediator to assist in reaching an agreement.

An essential services order issued by BC’s Labour Relations Board is in place to ensure that public safety is protected at all times. Under the order, 9-1-1 operators, police/fire call takers and dispatchers are deemed essential should job action occur.

We have continued to engage in the bargaining process in good faith with a competitive offer on the table. The offer E-Comm put forward aligns or exceeds many of the recently settled agreements within the public sector.

This offer would build on the significant improvements to wages and benefits negotiated during the last agreement which included an extra $5-$8 per hour for night/weekend shifts, and up to $4,000 in mental health benefits per year.

“We’ve made meaningful efforts to move negotiations forward and have put forth an offer that prioritizes both the employees who deliver these critical services and the public who depend on them,” says Greg Conner, vice-president of People & Culture for E-Comm. “Our priority is ensuring uninterrupted service for the public while supporting our employees with a fair and sustainable collective agreement.”

Last night, E-Comm hosted its third annual Achievement, Contribution and Excellence (ACE) Awards ceremony, bringing together employees from across the organization to celebrate career milestones, honour retirees and recognize colleagues whose outstanding contributions have made a meaningful impact on public safety.

Behind every service milestone is an individual who has dedicated years of their career to supporting British Columbians during some of life’s most challenging moments. From everyday emergencies to major incidents that affect entire communities, E-Comm’s call-takers, dispatchers, technologists and support staff are there when help is needed most.

E-Comm proudly recognized 101 distinguished service milestones, ranging from five to 45 remarkable years. We also honoured seven retirees whose strength, resilience and unwavering commitment to public safety have helped shape E-Comm into the trusted organization it is today.

In addition to celebrating years of service, E-Comm presented four employees with ACE Awards in recognition of their exceptional achievements, leadership and dedication. Each award reflects the values, excellence and spirit that drive E-Comm’s mission and inspire those around them.

Above and Beyond — Jim B. 

Jim B. was recognized for consistently demonstrating integrity, professionalism and a strong commitment to supporting others. As a peer coach, he successfully mentored eight new dispatch learners, adapting his approach to each individual while fostering a supportive and encouraging environment. Known for his calm demeanor and sense of humour, Jim is highly respected by his peers and regularly steps up to support his team in a variety of roles, always willing to help wherever needed.

Leadership Excellence — Colin Brittain

Colin Brittain was recognized for his collaborative leadership style and ability to build strong connections across all levels of the organization. He has played a key role in supporting the implementation of Next Generation 9-1-1, helping shape operational readiness and guiding teams through complex, large scale technology work. Widely respected for his knowledge, patience, and willingness to help others, Colin consistently demonstrates leadership that strengthens both his team and E-Comm as a whole.

Collaboration Champion — Sara Andreola

Sara Andreola was recognized for her exceptional collaboration, creativity, and positive approach to teamwork. Working across departments, she has played a key role in bringing E-Comm’s stories and public education campaigns to life through engaging and impactful communications. From leading major 9-1-1 awareness campaigns to creating E-Comm’s highest-performing social media content to date, Sara consistently combines innovation with a strong commitment to supporting others. Her collaborative spirit, generosity, and ability to connect teams have strengthened both the organization and its connection with the public.

Rising Star — Kiah Persson

Kiah Persson was recognized for the exceptional impact she has made in a short period of time through her strong work ethic, professionalism, and positive attitude. Quickly earning a reputation as a dependable and highly capable team member, she has transitioned seamlessly from call-taker to dispatcher, demonstrating confidence, sound judgment, and strong communication skills well beyond her years of experience. Known for her adaptability, kindness, and collaborative spirit, Kiah has already become a valued member of the team and is widely seen as a future leader within the organization.

As E-Comm continues to support first responders and communities across British Columbia, the ACE Awards serve as a reminder that our greatest strength is our people. Congratulations to all of this year’s recipients.

When people call 9-1-1, they’re often experiencing one of the most stressful moments of their lives, and uncertainty about what happens next can add to that stress. E-Comm 9-1-1 and the Abbotsford Police Department (AbbyPD) have partnered on a new public education initiative to help residents better understand how emergency calls are handled and what to expect when they reach out for help.

Timed with National Police Week (May 10–16, 2026), the initiative includes a short video designed to address common misconceptions about the 9-1-1 process – particularly the concern that answering questions may delay emergency response.

In reality, emergency response begins immediately.

“When you call 9-1-1 in Abbotsford, a team of professionals at E-Comm starts working right away to get you the help you need,” said Sergeant Paul Walker of the Abbotsford Police Department. “In urgent situations, officers are often dispatched while you’re still on the line.”

Information provided by callers is shared in real time between call takers, dispatchers, and responding officers. This continuous flow of communication allows first responders to assess risks, prepare for the situation, and respond as effectively as possible before arriving on scene.

Even after dispatch, call takers remain on the line whenever possible to gather additional details and provide reassurance. This ongoing communication plays a critical role in ensuring responders have the most accurate and up-to-date information.

“When people dial 9-1-1, it’s often during one of the most difficult moments of their lives,” said Carly Paice, Communications Manager for E-Comm 9-1-1. “The goal of this initiative is to provide clarity and reassurance, so callers know there is someone on the other end guiding them through the situation while help is already on the way.”

The initiative also highlights the accessibility of emergency services for Abbotsford’s diverse community. Interpretation services are available for callers who require language support, ensuring that language barriers do not prevent people from getting the assistance they need.

The accompanying video provides a behind-the-scenes look at the coordination between call takers, dispatchers, and police officers, reinforcing how quickly and collaboratively emergency response unfolds.

For more information about when to call 9-1-1 and what to expect, visit ecomm911.ca.

Media Contacts:
Questions pertaining to E-Comm 9-1-1 should be directed to [email protected].
Questions pertaining to AbbyPD should be directed to [email protected].

This morning CUPE 8911 communicated its intention to pursue a strike vote among bargaining unit members scheduled for May 13, 2026. As B.C.’s largest emergency communications provider for 9-1-1 calls and police/fire dispatch, E-Comm plays a key role in public safety. Our top priority is ensuring these critical 9-1-1 services are not interrupted and E-Comm continues to be there for British Columbians in times of need.

E-Comm remains focused on continuing constructive discussions with the Union and in reaching a fair and sustainable agreement that supports employees and ensures the continued delivery of responsive emergency services to the public and first responders, while recognizing the fiscal pressures facing the public sector and our funding partners in local government.

To support continued progress, E-Comm will be engaging the BC Labour Relations Board’s mediation services to assist in working through the final stages toward a renewed collective agreement.

E-Comm’s people are the backbone of 9-1-1 emergency services in B.C. We do critical, life-saving work every day connecting the public with emergency services. Through our work, E-Comm has:

• Answered over 2 million 9-1-1 calls in 2025, with an average speed to answer of one second, among the fastest in the world.
• Consistently exceeded call-answer targets for both 9-1-1 and police emergency calls.
• Increased our operations workforce and maintained strong retention rates. Overall staffing levels in 2025 and 2026 year-to-date have supported E-Comm exceeding service level targets.
• Named one of BC’s Top Employers for its transformation efforts over the past several years and enhancements to staff supports available, including up to $4,000 per year for mental health benefits established through the last collective agreement.

We share the Union’s goals of ensuring that E-Comm’s emergency communications centers are resourced to meet our public safety commitments to the public and our partners, and in continuing to support our employees in the essential work they do each and every day.