Blog | 911 Emergency Dispatcher | 911 Emergency Dispatch

Warm weather typically means more people spending time outdoors, whether they’re enjoying the beach, heading to a park, visiting a patio or exploring local attractions. With heat warnings in effect for parts of British Columbia, E-Comm is reminding the public to take steps to stay safe this summer and to know when to make the right call to 9-1-1.

Heat warnings

• For information and updates about heat warnings, follow Emergency Info BC
• Stay cool by spending time in air-conditioned spaces whenever possible. Check with your local city services for information about cooling centres and other available facilities. In Vancouver, you can call 3-1-1 for information
• Check in regularly on friends, family members and neighbours who may be more vulnerable to extreme heat

Make the right call to 9-1-1

Call 9-1-1 when someone’s life, safety or property is in jeopardy, or when you are witnessing a crime in progress.

If you’re ever unsure whether a situation is an emergency, it’s better to err on the side of caution and call 9-1-1. A call taker will ask questions to determine what kind of help is needed and can connect you with the appropriate emergency service.

When to call 8-1-1

If you have questions about heat-related symptoms or are unsure whether you need medical care, call 8-1-1 to speak with a health professional.

If you or someone else is experiencing a medical emergency or is in medical distress, call 9-1-1.

Wildfire safety

Hot and dry conditions can increase the risk of wildfires. To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1-800-663-5555 toll-free or *5555 from a cellphone.

Our call takers and dispatchers are here to connect you with the help you need in an emergency—no matter the time of day or night. By knowing how to make the right call, you can help ensure emergency resources remain available for those who need them most. Stay safe, stay hydrated and enjoy your summer!

More information

• When to call 9-1-1
• How 9-1-1 works in B.C.
• Non-emergency resources
• Sign up for newsletter

E-Comm announced its 2026–2027 Board of Directors at its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, naming five new Board members. The remaining directors were re-elected for another term by their respective nominating entities. The organization also recognized departing Board members Doug Campbell, Steve Ferguson, Jason High, Dylan Kruger, Nancy McCurrach, and Mary Trentadue for their service and contributions.

Nancy Kotani returns as Board Chair, a position she has held since June 2025. During the Annual General Meeting, Board Chair Nancy Kotani highlighted the significant progress made throughout the year, including the launch of E-Comm’s Action Plan following the provincial review. The plan establishes a strong foundation for strengthening the organization, enhancing operational resilience, and rebuilding partner confidence. More details are provided in the 2025 Annual Report and Audited Annual Financial Statements.

“I am very pleased to say that, despite managing several major events, 2025 marked the second consecutive year that E-Comm achieved or exceeded service level targets across 9-1-1, police and fire-emergency and non-emergency call-taking,” says Board Chair Nancy Kotani. “These results reflect the dedication and professionalism of our employees, who continue to deliver exceptional service while supporting public safety across British Columbia. On behalf of the Board, I want to thank every member of the E-Comm team for their commitment and hard work. Their efforts are helping to build a stronger, more resilient organization that will serve our communities for years to come.”

The Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing the company’s strategic planning and direction, finances and operating results. Management is accountable to the Board of Directors for day-to-day operations and administration.

2026-2027 Board of Directors

*New director appointed on June 24, 2026

With a warm weekend forecast and the arrival of visitors to B.C. from around the world, E-Comm is anticipating an increase in calls for emergency services.

Larger crowds and more people spending time outdoors at beaches, parks and events, are expected to drive higher call volumes, for both 9-1-1 and non-emergency lines.

“Our teams are ready for increased call demand, and the public also has an important role to play in keeping 9-1-1 available for emergencies,” said Carly Paice, Communications Manager at E-Comm 9-1-1. “Knowing when to call 9-1-1 and what to expect when calling, for situations that require immediate assistance from police, fire, or ambulance, helps ensure we can respond quickly to those who need us most.”

When to call 9-1-1 and what to expect

Call 9-1-1 if someone’s life, safety or property is at risk, or if you are witnessing a crime in progress. Whenever in doubt, opt on the side of safety and call 9-1-1, a trained call-taker will assess the situation.

Following the lead of call takers in answering questions is the best way to help. Common questions during emergency calls often include: your location (where are you, where is this happening), the nature of the incident (tell us what is going on), parties involved (descriptions of people, vehicles or other entities on scene), timing (when did this occur) and safety (are there any weapons, is anyone hurt). Do not hang up until the call taker says it’s okay.

Knowing your location is important: an exact address is always best, but major landmarks and cross streets will also help us find you.

Help keep lines free for emergencies

Avoid calling 9-1-1 for non-urgent issues or by mistake. If you dial in error, stay on the line and let the call-taker know so they can quickly move on to assist others.

While most callers use 9-1-1 appropriately, E-Comm continues to receive calls that don’t belong on the emergency line. So far in 2026, examples of calls that have come in through 9-1-1 have included airline booking issues, lost cell phones, traffic complaints and food delivery concerns. These calls do not belong on 9-1-1 and tie up emergency call takers from being able to respond to real emergencies more quickly.

For resources on who to call for assistance for non-urgent matters find a list of resources on our website at nonemergency.ca

Tips for visitors

• While travelling anywhere in Canada, use 9-1-1 to call for help in an emergency.
• Free interpretation services are available on 9-1-1 in over 200 languages. If you need emergency help in another language, call 9-1-1 and say the name of your language.
• Messaging apps such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, as well as texting to 9-1-1, are currently not supported for reaching 9-1-1 in British Columbia.
• Familiarize yourself with the local health and safety supports available by visiting Know Before You Go

Heat and summer safety reminders: who to call

• If you have health questions on heat-related symptoms, call 8-1-1 to speak with a public health nurse. If you, or someone else is in medical distress, call 9-1-1.
• Follow information and updates about heat warnings via Emergency Info BC and see latest information bulletin from the City of Vancouver.
• Questions about water/fire restrictions, public recreation areas, noise control and all other bylaw infractions should be directed to your local city services. In Vancouver, call 3-1-1.

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.”