Neighbours complain at temporary EMS helipad
Source: The Sudbury Star, 15-May-13
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)
Ornge Sells Two Surplus AW139s
Source: Ornge, 02-May-13
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. [...]
Former Ornge directors say they didn’t know about CEO’s extra fees
Source: CTV News, 25-Apr-13
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)
Ornge investigation may take another year, says OPP
Source: CBC News, 22-Mar-13
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)
New Ontario hospital helipad to improve patient care
Source: Ornge, 12-Mar-13
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 [...]
Ornge Submits First Quality Improvement Plan
Source: Ornge, 27-Feb-13
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 [...]
Ornge commits to ensuring EMS service in Thunder Bay
Source: Ornge, 01-Feb-13
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 [...]
Ornge introduces new interim interior for AW139s
Source: Ornge, 25-Jan-13
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,” [...]
Ornge introduces new whistleblower protection policy
Source: Ornge, 07-Jan-13
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 [...]
Ornge appoints news President/CEO
Source: Ornge, 20-Dec-12
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 [...]
Ornge announces new COO
Source: Ornge, 17-Dec-12
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 [...]
Ornge settles lawsuit with ex-employee
12-Dec-12
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)
Ontario hospital helipad damaged by vandals
Source: CBC, 17-Sep-12
Police said that since May, vandals have broken several marker and fixture lights on the hospital’s helipad, which is used by Ornge. The vandalism has occurred multiple times during the last few months. Nine lights were broken during one instance. (see full story)
Ornge recruits first Patient Advocate
Source: Ornge, 10-Sep-12
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 [...]
Ornge making progress with approval to fly in US Airspace
Source: Ornge, 07-Sep-12
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 [...]
AgustaWestland seeks $1.8M back from ORNGE
Source: Toronto Star, 01-Aug-12
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)
Ornge paramedic quit in disgust after patient died
Source: Ottawa Citizen, 08-Jun-12
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 [...]
Ornge continues rebuild with new key appointments
Source: Ornge, 07-Jun-12
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, [...]
ORNGE ran $14.5-million deficit, documents show
25-May-12
Leaked ORNGE budget documents obtained by the Progressive Conservatives show the air ambulance service was running a $14.5-million deficit (see full story)
Canadian Helicopters thank the people of Ontario
Source: Canadian Helicopters, 23-Apr-12
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 [...]
Ontario Government outlines improved future monitoring of Ornge
Source: Province of Ontario, 27-Mar-12
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 [...]
Second AgustaWestland window pops out in two months
Source: HeliHub.com, 26-Mar-12
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, [...]
23-Mar-12 C-GYNN AgustaWestland AW139 Toronto, Canada
23-Mar-12
Window blew out in flight, apparently causing door to open. Safe precautionary landing made in local park, not long after take off from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport on EMS flight
Statement from AgustaWestland re: Ornge, Ontario’s air ambulance
Source: AgustaWestland, 08-Mar-12
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 [...]
Canada’s ORNGE air ambulance not allowed in US airspace
Source: CBC, 29-Feb-12
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)
$25M in ORNGE money unaccounted for
Source: The Record, 27-Feb-12
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)
Ontario Police to investigate AgustaWestland $6.7M kick-back payment
17-Feb-12
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)
ORNGE lawyer resigns from his law firm
Source: Toronto Star, 11-Feb-12
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 [...]
Oshawa airport base under review by Ornge
11-Feb-12
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)
Trustee in Bankruptcy appointed at ORNGE for-profit arm
Source: Ornge, 03-Feb-12
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 [...]
ORNGE AW139 EMS interior problems after tender documents buried
30-Jan-12
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 it”. Ornge ended up with medical interiors that are rife with problems, [...]
ORNGE had quietly bought two more AW139s for resale
Source: HeliHub.com, 30-Jan-12
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 [...]
ORNGE outgoing board accepts recommendation for new board members
Source: ORNGE, 26-Jan-12
Today, the outgoing Ornge Board of Directors announced they have accepted the recommendation from the government to appoint seven new volunteer board members. “These new board members bring extensive knowledge and unique skill sets to their new roles and Ornge is fortunate to have them,” said outgoing Chair Rainer Beltzner. “Ornge has taken immediate steps [...]
Ornge plans for Oshawa base still on
Source: DurhamRegion.com, 17-Jan-12
Despite recent changes at the top of the organization, Ornge is still planning to open a new base at the Oshawa Municipal Airport. (see full story)
Ornge wasted $600K on an empty hangar
Source: HeliHub.com, 14-Jan-12
Frankly, the more we hear about Ornge, the more the whole thing looks like an example of corporate mismanagement to the level of an unmitigated disaster. The latest situation being reported by Canadian press is that now-departed COO Tom Lepine confirmed yesterday that Ornge leased a hangar at Hamilton, Onterio in December 2010 for around [...]
Message to Ornge staff from Ron McKerlie – Interim President and CEO
Source: Ornge, 13-Jan-12
Below is a statement sent to staff from Ron McKerlie: Yesterday the Board of Directors of Ornge announced their decision to accept the recommendations of the Government of Ontario regarding the appointment of an interim President and CEO. Following that announcement the honorable Deb Matthews, Minister for Health and Long Term Care, announced that I [...]
ORNGE air ambulance gets new CEO, board
Source: Toronto Star, 12-Jan-12
The dream of getting rich at ORNGE air ambulance ended Wednesday as high-paid executives lost their jobs, a series of mysterious for-profit companies were shuttered and well-paid board members were given the boot. (see full story).
Ornge release statement on behalf of three executives
Source: Ornge, 02-Jan-12
Below is an internal memo released on December 23, 2011. Sent on behalf of Tom Lepine, Maria Renzella and Rick Potter (HeliHub Editor note – click here to see profiles of these executives) We know that over the past few weeks, many of you, valued members of the Ornge family, have been upset and concerned [...]
ORNGE spinoff received $6.7M from AgustaWestland
Source: The Star, 23-Dec-11
AgustaWestland’s American office struck a $6.7 million deal to hire a Toronto firm made up of ORNGE executives to provide it with “sales and marketing services.” (see full story)
Statement from Chairman of ORNGE board
Source: Ornge, 23-Dec-11
Dr. Mazza will be on an indefinite medical leave and in his absence, Tom Lepine will be the interim President and CEO of Ornge and Maria Renzella will be the interim President and CEO of Ornge Global. I ask that everyone respect his privacy and that of his family during this time. Requests from Minister [...]
Shortage of paramedics leaves ORNGE helicopter idle
Source: TheSpec, 21-Dec-11
The air ambulance helicopter at ORNGE’s Thunder Bay base was grounded hundreds of times this year because no paramedics were available for emergency flights. (see full story)
ORNGE executive salaries under scrutiny
Source: EMS World, 19-Dec-11
Report says at least five top executives are shielded from the “sunshine list” published annually by ONtario to help make government accountable. (see full story)
Ornge sets record straight, responding to Toronto Star article
Source: Ornge, 07-Dec-11
On behalf of Ornge’s Board of Directors, Ornge management and staff, Ornge is compelled to respond to the Toronto Star story of December 5, 2011. We are setting the record straight. Ornge compliant with the Public Sector Salary Disclosure Act, 1996. Ornge is in compliance with the Public Sector Salary Disclosure Act, 1996. The following [...]
Ornge Medical Director wins AAMS award
Source: Ornge, 20-Oct-11
Ornge, a world leader in transport medicine, is proud to congratulate Dr. Russell MacDonald, Ornge’s Medical Director for Research and Development, on winning the Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) Barbara A. Hess Research and Education Award. One of the transport medicine industry’s highest honours, the award was presented to Dr. MacDonald at the Air [...]
Ornge responds to CTV Story of September 6th
Source: Ornge, 08-Sep-11
On its 6:00 p.m. broadcast on September 6th, 2011, CTV Toronto aired a story with respect to Ornge’s service in Ontario. The story not only contained outdated and incorrect information but also omitted essential facts and was misleading. Ornge has notified CTV of these errors and has asked for a full apology from the network. [...]
Ornge adds base to serve Southeastern Ontario
Source: Ornge, 07-Jul-11
Ornge, the provider of transport medicine services for Ontario, is pleased to announce the opening of a new satellite medical helicopter base at the Oshawa Municipal Airport later this year. The new facility, which will operate 24 hours a day 7 days a week, will be the home to Ornge paramedics, pilots and a new, [...]
Ornge officially launches Ted Rogers Paediatric Transport Program
Source: Ornge, 08-Jun-11
On November of 2008, Ethan Day turned one month old, but it hardly was a time to celebrate. His mother Lisa rushed him into the ER at Markham Stouffville Hospital with what turned out to be a serious heart problem. When his paediatrician made the decision to send Ethan to the Hospital for Sick Children, [...]
Ornge flight paramedic wins international award
Source: Ornge, 06-Apr-11
Ornge, Ontario’s provider of transport medicine services, is proud to congratulate Patrick Auger, an Ottawaâ€based Ornge critical care paramedic, for winning the Tim Hynes Flight Paramedic of the Year Award from the International Association of Flight Paramedics (IAFP). He was presented with the award at the Critical Care Transport Medicine Conference in Nashville, Tennessee earlier today. [...]
Lorne Crawford, member of the Ornge board of Directors, passes away
Source: Ornge, 21-Mar-11
On behalf of the Ornge Board of Directors, it is with extreme sadness that we announce the passing of one of our own, Mr. Lorne Crawford. Mr. Crawford was a tireless supporter and champion of access to healthcare, especially for people living in Northwestern Ontario. “We at Ornge are deeply saddened to learn of the [...]
Ornge ready to launch AW139 in south western Ontario
Source: HeliHub.com, 17-Feb-11
Ontario based EMS operatior Ornge will launch their next AW139 at the organisations base at London in south western Ontario. Guest of honour at the invitation-only event will be Hon. Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, while various key figures in Ornge will also attend, including Randy L’Heureux (Associate VP of Operations), Rick [...]
EMS director criticizes Ornge move from Toronto Island to Hamilton
Source: Peterborough Examiner, 20-Jan-11
The City of Kawartha Lakes is planning to make a case to the province that moving the air ambulance ORNGE from Toronto Island to Hamilton makes no geographic sense. Earlier this week, he had suggested that putting the service in Peterborough or Oshawa made much more sense.
Generous gift to Ornge will support simulation program
Source: Ornge, 12-Jan-11
The Ornge Foundation is pleased to receive a donation of over $343,000 from Pilatus, the world’s leading manufacturer of single-engine turboprop aircraft. This generous donation will be used in Ornge’s Academy of Transport Medicine (ATM) to support the simulation program. The ATM was established in 2007 and provides paramedical education programs based on an innovative [...]
Settlement reached in Ornge discrimination case
Source: NUPGE, 23-Dec-10
In October, Local 505 of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE) filed a complaint with the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) alleging discrimination, intimidation and targeting of union activists at Ornge, formerly Ontario Air Ambulance. “We are pleased to announce that the complaint has now been withdrawn by the union prior to a formal [...]
Ornge transports 100,000th patient
21-Dec-10
MISSISSAUGA (Dec. 20) – Ornge, a world leader in transport medicine, reached a major milestone in its five year history today, as the organization transported its 100,000th patient. All aspects of air ambulance services were divested by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care in January 2006 and since became Ornge. Ornge, a not-for-profit organization, [...]
Ornge opts for Navtech flight planning solution
Source: Navtech, 24-Nov-10
November 23, 2010 (TORONTO) – Through a three-year agreement, Navtech, Inc., a leader in flight operations software and services, provides flight plans and flight following services for Ornge Air, an acclaimed air medical transport company based in Ontario, Canada. Ornge is Navtech’s first air medical transport customer – further evidence of the growing diversity of [...]
CAW union expresses alarm at Ornge cutting Toronto Island Airport base
Source: CAW, 20-Oct-10
The CAW is expressing alarm at the decision by ORNGE to move the Toronto Island Medivac helicopters to the Hamilton International Airport, which will dramatically reduce service to Canada’s largest city, the union says. “The decision to cut the service from Toronto Island Airport means that an important access point to the large highly specialized [...]
Ornge opens doors of the new Transport Medicine Centre for Excellence
Source: Chronicle Journal, 18-Oct-10
The air ambulance service opened the doors of the new Transport Medicine Centre for Excellence, their first all-in-one service centre across from the runway of the Thunder Bay International Airport on Saturday.
Latitude Technologies equips ORNGE AW139 fleet with SkyNode
Source: Latitude Technologies, 10-Oct-10
Latitude Technologies, a leading provider of satellite based communication, tracking and onboard aircraft data systems, is pleased to announce that their SkyNode S200-021 satellite based Satcom/tracking/messaging system has been selected by Ornge for their new fleet of AW139 helicopters. The new fleet is currently being completed at Agusta Westland’s Philadelphia, Pennsylvania manufacturing facility with dual [...]
Ornge launches AW139 ops in Ontario
Source: AgustaWestland, 24-Sep-10
New State-Of-The-Art Medically Equipped AW139 Helicopters to Enhance Patient Care Across Province Ornge, a world leader in the field of transport medicine, is proud to introduce the most significant fleet upgrade in the history of aero medical transport in Ontario. The first of the new AgustaWestland AW139 helicopters were unveiled this morning at the Ornge [...]
Ornge S76 targeted by laser beams over Ottawa
Source: Ottawa Citizen, 23-Aug-10
A Sikorsky S76 helicopter belonging to the Ornge transport medicine service was targeted as it was on a flight to the Ottawa Hospital.
GE’s Health Monitoring System equips Ornge AW139s
Source: GE Aviation, 19-Jul-10
Ornge, which provides ground and air medical transport for the province of Ontario, Canada, has just received the first of 10 AgustaWestland AW139 helicopters equipped with GE Aviation health and usage monitoring systems (HUMS). HUMS Web Services, which include GE’s (GE 14.61, +0.06, +0.41%) artificial intelligence based Advanced Anomaly Detection (AAD) technology, automatically collects information [...]
Ornge Takes Delivery Of The First FIPS-Equipped AW139 EMS
Source: AgustaWestland, 14-Jun-10
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that Ornge of Ontario, Canada, has taken delivery of the first of ten AW139 medium twin helicopters. The helicopters are being produced at AgustaWestland’s Philadelphia, Pennsylvania production facility. The contract includes an option for two additional aircraft. The helicopter is equipped with an advanced full aero-medical interior [...]
Ornge and AgustaWestland announce Can$250K fund for aboriginal students
Source: Ornge, 07-Jun-10
Ornge and AgustaWestland announced today the Ornge-AgustaWestland Endowment Fund for Aboriginal Learners in the amount of $250,000. Ornge partnered with AgustaWestland to address the growing demand for services and skilled Aboriginal employees in the north and this is the single largest external donation for financial aid Confederation College has ever received. “As a crucial provider [...]
Ornge chooses Aerolite Medical Interiors for new Fleet of AW139s
Source: RotorNews, 29-Sep-09
Aerolite announced that it had received an order for ten medical interiors for Agusta Westland AW139 helicopters from Ornge, Canada’s leading provider of transport medicine services.
Ornge purchases aviation assets from Canadian Helicopters Income Fund and enters into a 3 year contract with CHL
Source: Canadian Helicopters, 31-Mar-09
Ornge has purchased from Canadian Helicopters the current fleet of eleven medically equipped Sikorsky S-76 helicopters, and aviation assets including four hangars located in Ottawa, Moosonee, Kenora and London for an aggregate purchase price of Cdn$30 million.
