The old Greyhound Bus station in Prince George is now the new home of a new multi-purpose facility for paramedics.
The new ambulance station on 1566 12th Avenue was unveiled today (Monday) during a ceremony that included dignitaries from BC Emergency Health Services, Prince George City Council and the Lheidil T’enneh.
“Paramedics do incredible work every day and they deserve facilities that support them,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “This new ambulance station will help strengthen emergency services and ensure people in northern B.C. can get the care they need when it matters most.”
The new station, approximately 2,365 square metres (25,450 square feet), replaces two aging facilities with a modern space designed to support the growing needs of the community. The $14.7-million project was funded by the province.
“This facility will centralize emergency medical services and logistics in Prince George and surrounding communities, supporting faster response times and more efficient operations,” said Leanne Heppell, chief ambulance officer, BC Emergency Health Services. “This new station is more than just a building, it’s a home base for the dedicated paramedics and support staff who serve the people of Prince George. That’s why this purpose-built station was designed with our employees in mind, providing safe and secure parking, rest areas, kitchens, lockers and other essential amenities.”
The 12th Avenue facility serves as the primary operational hub for 83 paramedics , including 60 full-time and 23 casual positions.
Features of the new station include:
* enhanced ambulance-deployment capabilities
* dedicated crew rest areas, including 10 individual rest pods
* fully equipped gym to support crew health and wellness
* bright, open common area with kitchen and lounge space designed to accommodate multiple ambulance crews
* improved facilities for cleaning, stocking and preparing ambulances for service
* secure vehicle parking
* expanded storage space
“Prince George is a key hub for emergency health services in northern B.C., and this investment strengthens support for rural, remote and Indigenous communities throughout the region,” said Debra Toporowski, parliamentary secretary for rural health. “The new station enhances operational capacity, improves support for front-line paramedics and helps ensure emergency health services can continue to meet the needs of growing communities in the area.”
As part of the transition, Station 531 (Edmonton Street) and Station 535 (Hart Station) were amalgamated into Station 540 on April 1st.
Both existing stations will continue to support BC Emergency Health Services operations.
One ambulance will continue to be deployed from Hart Station for emergency response.
Station 531 will house Prince George’s two Link and Referral Units, workspace for staff travelling from other communities and office space for the Indigenous patient navigator, as well as connect and recover programs.
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