6-Feb-2023Source: The Observer
A new helipad at Bluewater Health in Sarnia has already been used six times by air ambulance helicopters transferring patients to Toronto and London since being approved for daytime use in November. See Full Story.... Read more
19-Dec-2022Source: Ornge
Ornge was recognized as one of GTAs Top 100 Employers by Mediacorp Canada Inc. This marks the third consecutive year that Ornge has been included on the GTAs the Top 100 list. Canada’s Top 100 Employers program is a national competition that recognizes employers that lead their industries in offering exceptional workplaces. To be successful,... Read more
17-Dec-2020Source: Ornge
Ornge, Ontario’s provider of air ambulance and critical care transport services, announces Peter Cunnington, Acting Chief Operating Officer – Aviation has been appointed to the Air Transport Association of Canada (ATAC) Board of Directors. The appointment is for a three year term commencing December 2020 to November 2023. Cunnington holds a helicopter Airline Transport Pilot... Read more
8-Dec-2020Source: Ornge
Ornge was recognized as one of GTAs Top 100 Employers by Mediacorp Canada Inc. This marks Ornge’s inaugural inclusion on GTAs the Top 100 list. Canada’s Top 100 Employers program is a national competition that recognizes employers that lead their industries in offering exceptional workplaces. To be successful, organizations that apply have to meet or... Read more
4-Sep-2020Source: Ornge
Following a comprehensive recruitment process and worldwide search, Ornge is pleased to announced the appointment of Dr. Bruce Sawadsky as Chief Medical Officer for Ornge. Dr Sawadsky has 20+ years of leadership within the provincial air ambulance program, including his role as Acting CMO since January, in addition to his role as a Transport Medicine... Read more
8-Jun-2020Source: Ornge
On Wednesday, May 27, Dr. Homer Tien, Ornge Presidend and CEO, was invited as a witness for the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health in its Briefing on the Canadian Response to the Outbreak of the Coronavirus. During the question and answer session, Dr. Tien had the opportunity to highlight Ornge’s COVID-19 response including... Read more
29-May-2020Source: Leonardo
During the spread of Covid-19, Leonardo has seen operators of its aircraft adapt, react and overcome the challenges posed by the pandemic across geographies. Air ambulance operators Ornge and STARS have managed to continue conducting life-saving missions across Canada throughout the emergency. Both of these healthcare organisations have shared with Leonardo how they were... Read more
4-Oct-2019Source: Ornge
Centennial College’s School of Transportation formally recognized the donation of a decommissioned Sikorsky S-76A helicopter by Ontario’s Ornge air ambulance service at an event at the college’s Downsview Campus Centre for Aerospace and Aviation on September 25. Some 500 students in Centennial’s Aviation Technician and Aviation Technology programs directly benefit from having the Sikorsky hull... Read more
27-Sep-2019Source: The London Free Press
Ontario’s air ambulance agency has suspended service to a London hospital over safety concerns about its helicopter landing space. See Full Story.... Read more
30-Apr-2019Source: HeliHub.com
Bowmanville Hospital has not had a function helipad since their air ambulance service was suspended in September. This came after a landing caused damage and an injury. The wind from landing and taking off causes objects to blow around in the surrounding houses by the hospital helipad. Especially since Ornge has begun using larger helicopters.... Read more
14-Dec-2018Source: Ornge
Ornge, Ontario’s provider of air ambulance and related services, and HeliMods, an Australian aerospace technology company, announced today that they have reached an agreement for the installation of an enhanced stretcher system in the Ornge fleet of AW139 helicopters. For Ornge, this agreement follows an exhaustive search and competitive procurement process to find the right... Read more
10-Nov-2017Source: HeliHub.com
Ornge has had an increase of staff absences, leaving many bases closed across the province. The minimum amount of staff required are two pilots and two paramedics. If one of these four do not come in, the helicopter is not allowed to be used. Low morale and pilot poaching has been brought up as reasons... Read more
27-Jun-2017Source: HeliHub.com
The helipad on Wellington Street South, in downtown Kitchener, has had to be closed down due to a construction crane being erected in front of it. The crane, helping to build two towers, 15 and 19 feet high, is directly in any helicopters flight path, reports The Record. Ornge, who runs air ambulance services in... Read more
16-May-2017Source: HeliHub.com
Ornge Air Ambulance has been granted access to the Health Science Centre’s newly opened helipad in Winnipeg after two months of negotiations. This impacts their response time significantly. Before they had to land at Winnipeg International Airport and then transfer the patient into a driven ambulance. This process was essentially doubling their response time. Being... Read more
21-Dec-2016Source: HeliHub.com
Doctor Paul Gill, from Alexandra Marine & General Hospital has gone before the local council saying that the hospital wastes too much time transferring emergency cases to the airport in order for them to have access to a larger hospital. He suggested that a helipad be built in the field opposite Cambria Road, next to... Read more
13-Nov-2016Source: Latitude Technologies
Latitude Technologies is pleased to announce the company has signed a three-year contract to provide flight data analytics services to Ornge for their fleet of Leonardo AW139 helicopters. Utilizing existing onboard SSQARs, Latitude will assist in developing an HFDM program whereby digital flight data generated during line operations is collected and analyzed to provide greater... Read more
1-Nov-2016Source: Spectrum Aeromed
Spectrum Aeromed announced this week that the company’s medical interior was installed on an Augusta Westland AW139 for Ornge, the air ambulance service provider in the Canadian province of Ontario. The helicopter was deployed to a remote base located in Moosonee, Ontario Canada. “This aircraft will serve a vital role in serving the community surrounding... Read more
30-Aug-2016Source: Waypoint
Waypoint Leasing (Ireland) Limited (“Waypoint”), the largest independent global helicopter leasing company, today announced that it has acquired a pre-owned AW139 in EMS configuration on the open market and placed it on long-term lease to Ornge in support of EMS operations in Ontario, Canada. The aircraft is additional to Waypoint’s current AW139 fleet and order... Read more
8-Jun-2016Source: Ornge
Ornge, Ontario’s provider of air ambulance and related services, took first place at the 2016 Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians (CAEP) Simulation Olympiad. This is the first time Ornge has participated in the competition. The team consisted of two Ornge Critical Care Flight Paramedics and two Physicians. “I was extremely proud to see the Ornge... Read more
6-Jan-2016Source: The Hamilton Spectator
The pilots who fly Ornge’s air ambulance helicopters may soon have a new skill to guide them through the skies — the ability to see in the dark. See Full Story... Read more
9-Dec-2015Source: Ornge
– STARS and Ornge air ambulance services are partnering to raise awareness of snowmobile safety in an effort to reduce snowmobile related injuries and fatalities in Canada this winter season. The partnership marks the first time two air ambulance services in Canada have jointly promoted safe riding. Since 2013, Ornge has transported more than 140... Read more
12-Oct-2015Source: Toronto Sun
Something very interesting is happening at Ornge. See Full Story... Read more
18-Aug-2015Source: CTV News
Critics say the Ontario government should pay the bill when patients are forced to take air or ground ambulances because their local hospital doesn’t offer the service or treatment they need. See Full Story... Read more
13-Jul-2015Source: Toronto Sun
Summer’s here and you’re heading to the cottage. See full story... Read more
8-Jul-2015Source: Toronto Sun
Ornge is the new black hole in northern Ontario, as the troubled air ambulance company now refuses to land on many helipads in isolated communities. See full story... Read more
7-Jul-2015Source: Toronto Sun
Ornge is the new black hole in northern Ontario, as the troubled air ambulance company now refuses to land on many helipads in isolated communities. See full story... Read more
13-Mar-2015Source: The Sudburystar
Ornge helicopters are again flying in and out of Health Sciences North’s Ramsey Lake Health Centre after a faulty elevator cut off access to the hospital’s helipad last month. See Full Story... Read more
13-Feb-2015Source: Ornge
Ornge, Ontario’s provider of air ambulance and related services, announced today it has issued a Request for Information (RFI) for helicopter fleet renewal. As part of its three year strategic plan, Ornge has been assessing whether the organization has the most effective and efficient aircraft for its mission moving forward. While the current Ornge fleet... Read more
30-Jan-2015Source: The Star
For sale: Four air ambulances from ORNGE. Price? Just under $7 million. See Full Story... Read more
4-Nov-2014Source: Timmins Press
MPP Gilles Bisson isn’t surprised to hear a legislative committee is pinning the blame for the deadly mess with Ornge air ambulance on the Ministry of Health and poor management. See Full Storey... Read more
2-Oct-2014Source: Ornge
Ornge, Ontario’s provider of air ambulance and related services, is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Homer Chin-Nan Tien, an internationally-renowned, award-winning physician, administrator and educator, as Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Tien joins Ornge from Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre where he is Medical Director for the Tory Regional Trauma Centre, Canada’s largest trauma unit.... Read more
25-Sep-2014Source: Ornge
Ornge, Ontario’s provider of air ambulance and related services, is proud to announce a partnership with Cambrian College. This is Ornge’s first partnership with a community college. Through this partnership, Cambrian College will deliver an Advanced Care Paramedic (ACP) graduate certificate program beginning September 2014, which will develop and support the training of highly-skilled flight... Read more
14-Jul-2014Source: CBC
The only night-certified helipad in the Lappe area, north of Thunder Bay is no longer safe for helicopters to use after dark. See full story... Read more
1-Jun-2014Source: CBC
All 17 charges relate to an incident that occurred on May 31, 2013, when four Ornge employees — two pilots and two paramedics — were killed after the Sikorsky S-76A helicopter they were travelling in crashed See full story See also HeliHub.com page for this accident... Read more
30-Jan-2014Source: Toronto Star
A dramatic restructuring at ORNGE has eliminated 25 senior jobs as managers take a broom to the costly legacy of former boss Chris Mazza and his global ambitions for the air ambulance operator – see full story... Read more
20-Nov-2013Source: Toronto Star
ORNGE failed to ensure the safety of its helicopter operations and endangered its pilots, federal investigators say in a damning indictment that orders immediate changes at the medical transport agency. See full story... Read more
19-Sep-2013Source: Ornge
Ornge, Ontario’s provider of air ambulance and related services, announced plans to procure and install a permanent medical interior for its AW139 helicopter fleet, which will further improve care for patients requiring air ambulance transport. “By outfitting our helicopters with an enhanced medical interior, we are honouring a commitment made to our frontline paramedics to... Read more
16-Jul-2013Source: Ontario Government
Today, Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, issued the following statement on the release of the Office of the Chief Coroner’s review of Ornge air ambulance: “I want to thank the Expert Panel for their work to examine Ornge air ambulance transports and for their recommendations to improve patient care. This report provides... Read more
1-Jul-2013
An ORNGE spokesperson said the previous management at ORNGE under CEO Dr. Chris Mazza made the original decision to discontinue hover exits when the AW139s were being introduced, and that they are now seeking to develop a “formalized training program” to establish policies and procedures for paramedics. see full story... Read more
28-Jun-2013Source: Toronto Star
An exodus of helicopter pilots has left ORNGE scrambling to fill shifts, meaning air ambulance choppers could be unable to fly at times during the busy summer trauma season. see full story... Read more
25-Jun-2013Source: Toronto Star
Several of the Sikorsky S76s in ORNGE’s fleet had upgraded electronics, including a ground proximity warning system, but not the one that was based in Moosonee. see full story... Read more
24-Jun-2013Source: Toronto Star
A Toronto Star investigation has found troubling issues arising from the accident that could impact the safety and service of ORNGE’s helicopter operations – see full story... Read more
15-Jun-2013Source: The Star
Two weeks after the fatal crash of an air ambulance helicopter, ORNGE has temporarily suspended night flights to almost 60 sites across Ontario. see full story... Read more
5-Jun-2013Source: Ornge
Ornge, Ontario’s provider of air ambulance and related services, announced today it is returning its Sikorsky S76 helicopters to service. On Friday May 31st, Ornge voluntarily and temporarily took its five Sikorsky S76 helicopters offline out of an abundance of caution following a fatal accident involving an Ornge air ambulance helicopter in Moosonee. Ornge fixed... Read more
15-May-2013Source: The Sudbury Star
It may be little consolation to residents in the Kirkwood Drive-Ramsey Lake Road area who are furious about a temporary helipad being located in their neighbourhood, but the notice is in the mail. (See Full Story)... Read more
2-May-2013Source: Ornge
Ornge, Ontario’s provider of air ambulance and related services, announced today two surplus AW139 helicopters have been sold. The selling price was $20 million USD for two aircraft, or $10 million per helicopter. “With the sale of these helicopters, Ornge has taken another important step in addressing legacy issues inherited from previous leadership,” said Dr.... Read more
25-Apr-2013Source: CTV News
Several former directors of Ornge say they were kept in the dark about extra fees ousted CEO Chris Mazza collected on top of his high salary from Ontario’s troubled air ambulance service. (See full story)... Read more
22-Mar-2013Source: CBC News
Ontario taxpayers will know within a year whether any charges will be laid in the criminal probe of the troubled Ornge air ambulance service, Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner Chris Lewis said Wednesday (see full story)... Read more
12-Mar-2013Source: Ornge
Markham Stouffville Hospital and Ornge, Ontario’s provider of air ambulance and related services, are pleased to announce the opening of the hospital’s new rooftop heliport. An Ornge helicopter made its inaugural landing at the hospital today and was greeted by hospital CEO, Janet Beed. “This new heliport will help us provide more efficient service to... Read more
27-Feb-2013Source: Ornge
Ontario patients requiring air ambulance services and critical care transport will receive better care thanks to Ornge’s first Quality Improvement Plan. The Quality Improvement Plan, submitted to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care today, is a requirement under Ornge’s amended Performance Agreement and is a key step to ensuring public confidence in its air... Read more
1-Feb-2013Source: Ornge
Ornge, Ontario’s provider of air ambulance and related services, is reaffirming its commitment to patients in Northern Ontario by taking steps to increase staffing levels at its Thunder Bay base. “We are pleased to announce this enhancement of what is a vital service in the northwest, given the vast geography and long distances between medical... Read more
25-Jan-2013Source: Ornge
Ornge, Ontario’s provider of air ambulance and related services, is improving patient safety with a new interim interior for its fleet of AW139 helicopters that will allow paramedics to perform CPR at any time during flight. “We transport the most critically injured or ill patients, which means our paramedics must have an effective working environment,”... Read more
7-Jan-2013Source: Ornge
Ornge, Ontario’s provider of air ambulance and related services is further improving accountability and transparency by introducing a whistleblower policy. “We are truly committed to continuous improvement at Ornge, and that means everyone should feel free to come forward with concerns, without fear of reprisal,” said Ron McKerlie, Interim President and CEO of Ornge. “Our... Read more
20-Dec-2012Source: Ornge
The Board of Directors of Ornge, Ontario’s provider of air ambulance and related services, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Andrew McCallum, M.D., F.R.C.P(C), as President and Chief Executive Officer of Ornge. Since 2008, Dr. McCallum has been the Chief Coroner for Ontario. Prior to that he was a Regional Coroner and held... Read more
17-Dec-2012Source: Ornge
Ornge have announced the appointment of Rob Giguere to the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO). Mr. Giguere will oversee Aviation, Operations and the Operations Control Centre to ensure all teams are working together and moving forward to support Ornge’s focus on patient care and Ontario operations. He brings decades of experience and knowledge in... Read more
12-Dec-2012
Former employee Lisa Kirbie sued Ornge only about six weeks ago, but a spokesman for the EMS operator says the case has now been resolved, though details of the settlement are confidential. (see full story)... Read more
17-Sep-2012Source: CBC
Police said that since May, vandals have broken several marker and fixture lights on the hospital’s helipad, which is used by Ornge. Â The vandalism has occurred multiple times during the last few months. Nine lights were broken during one instance. Â (see full story)... Read more
10-Sep-2012Source: Ornge
Denise Polgar will become Ornge’s first Patient Advocate, a newly created position unique in the field of air ambulance and medical transport, and will begin this role on September 4th, 2012. As Patient Advocate, Ms. Polgar will support and comfort patients and families, as well as work to resolve their concerns about patient care and... Read more
7-Sep-2012Source: Ornge
Ornge is improving the quality of patient care with approval to fly air ambulance helicopters in U.S. airspace. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved Ornge’s application to fly helicopters to the U.S., allowing Ornge’s air ambulance helicopter fleet to fly in U.S. airspace and transport patients to or from any U.S. destination. “The... Read more
1-Aug-2012Source: Toronto Star
AgustaWestland is seeking the return of $1.8M from the controversial marketing services agreement between them and Ontario EMS operator ORNGE – the detail of which is already under investigation by the Ontario Provincial Police. (see full story)... Read more
8-Jun-2012Source: Ottawa Citizen
Trevor Kidd says had the girl had a hope for survival, Ornge “robbed” her of that chance by not properly staffing their aircraft or sending them in a timely manner. The whistleblower says he raised red flags about Ornge with journalists and others, but no one believed him because of Ornge’s “Mother Teresa” image. (see... Read more
7-Jun-2012Source: Ornge
Ornge is pleased to provide a frontline staffing update and to announce the addition of three new well-respected executives from health care, aviation and finance to the Ornge team: Bruce Farr – Special Advisor, Operations Bruce has a long history working with Toronto Emergency Medical Services (EMS). He started as an ambulance driver in Scarborough,... Read more
25-May-2012
Leaked ORNGE budget documents obtained by the Progressive Conservatives show the air ambulance service was running a $14.5-million deficit (see full story)... Read more
23-Apr-2012Source: Canadian Helicopters
Ed: Canadian Helicopters posted this under the title “To the People of Ontario”, mostly as a way of concluding 35 years and 155,000 flying hours serving the province. However, it is also seen as a way of distancing the company from the Ornge debacle Thank you for your business and your trust. Some of you... Read more
27-Mar-2012Source: Province of Ontario
Proposed legislation ( Ambulance Amendment Act (Air Ambulances), 2012) being introduced would, if passed, prevent any future abuse of power at Ornge by: Protecting whistle-blowers who disclose information to an inspector, investigator or the government. Allowing the government to directly appoint members to Ornge’s board of directors and change the performance agreement with Ornge at... Read more
26-Mar-2012Source: HeliHub.com
This news item is part of the accident data provided by HeliHub.com on this site. Information provided in this update may potentially be incomplete or inaccurate as we frequently post these stories only a very short time after the accident has occurred. Users of HeliHub.com are advised to carry out their own checks and searches,... Read more
8-Mar-2012Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland is aware from media of an investigation being conducted by the Government of Ontario into the operations of Ornge. While negative remarks about the AgustaWestland relationship with Ornge as well as the AW139 helicopter have been made from time to time in press articles, we should like to emphasize the following: 1) AgustaWestland has... Read more
29-Feb-2012Source: CBC
A leaked document indicates paperwork has been put before the FAA, but currently the ORNGE helicopters have not been cleared to enter the U.S. Period. (see full story)... Read more
27-Feb-2012Source: The Record
Roughly $25 million dollars raised by Ornge with Ontario taxpayers’ help cannot be accounted for. Investigators, financial and criminal, are digging into the case to see if the money was blown on a spending spree, bad business decisions or if some of it lined executives’ pockets. (see full story)... Read more
17-Feb-2012
ONtario Ministry of Health as called in the Police in regard of two transactions – a $6.7-million payment AgustaWestland channelled back to Ornge, as part of the air ambulance’s purchase of 12 helicopters for $148-million, and a $1.2-million loans made to former CEO Chris Mazza (see full story)... Read more
11-Feb-2012Source: Toronto Star
It’s almost daily we can bring you an update on the ORNGE saga. Now Alf Apps tendered his resignation Friday afternoon from law firm Fasken Martineau. Apps was listed as a counsel to the firm, not a partner. Apps is also chairman of a company ORNGE chose last fall to try to raise $15 million... Read more
11-Feb-2012
Just weeks after Ornge representatives confirmed an Oshawa airport base for the air ambulance service was still moving forward, the fate of the Oshawa project is now in question. (see full story)... Read more
3-Feb-2012Source: Ornge
Today, Duff and Phelps was appointed by the court as trustee in bankruptcy for Ornge Global GP Inc. and Ornge Global Holdings LP, the for-profit arm of Ornge. This results, by operation of law, in the immediate termination of the remaining employees of the bankrupt Global entities, being Dr. Chris Mazza, President and CEO, and... Read more
30-Jan-2012
Ron McKerlie, interim CEO of Ornge, confirmed in an interview on Friday that the previous management of Ornge posted the tender notice for the AW139 EMS interior contract “under a category that would have made it difficult for any reasonable person to find itâ€. Ornge ended up with medical interiors that are rife with problems,... Read more
30-Jan-2012Source: HeliHub.com
The ORNGE debacle goes on… Ron McKerlie, interim chief executive officer of Ornge, confirmed to the Canadian press on Friday that the previous management had quietly ordered two more AW139s with taxpayers money without any announcement either in Canada or within the helicopter industry. The pair had not physically been brought to Canada, or fitted... Read more