ORNGE

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY DIAL 9-1-1
911 should be dialed to save a life, report a fire or report a crime in progress

All Other Issues – Call 1 888-310-1122 to speak to a dispatcher 24/7

Established in 1977, Ornge is a non-profit organization providing air ambulance and ground medical transportation services in Ontario. Ornge is a secondary responder and not part of the 911 system.

Their mission is to “overcome time and distance when it matters most.”

While Ornge is widely known for emergency responses, the vast majority of their work involves moving patients between healthcare facilities. For the year ending March 31, 2026, Ornge conducted 25,518 total missions/transports (16,121 via air transport, with 4,439 being rotor-wing transfers). Of these, 28% were scene responses (at the accident) or modified scene responses (meeting local EMS at an approved landing site), including 978 direct on-scene transfers and 130 modified scene transfers.

How Ornge Responds to Emergencies

When a 911 call comes in, local EMS, hospitals, or Central Ambulance Communications Centres request Ornge services based on strict provincial guidelines, such as field trauma criteria, the required level of care, and time to the hospital. Once a request is made, the final decision to dispatch an aircraft rests on weather conditions and asset availability. To ensure emergency crews can pinpoint exact locations in remote areas or complicated island channels, Ornge has fully integrated the what3words addressing system into its dispatch process.

Once the request is approved, the Ornge Operations Control Centre (OCC) takes over to manage all logistics. A Transport Medicine Physician is on duty in the OCC 24/7 to remotely assess the patient’s condition, provide real-time clinical guidance, and issue critical medical orders to both the responding rescue crew and the receiving hospital. For emergencies occurring on the water, the OCC works in tandem with other rescue agencies; operations on Georgian Bay are frequently joint efforts, requiring tight coordination with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Aviation/Marine units and the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC).

The dispatched helicopter functions as a mobile Intensive Care Unit, staffed by a dedicated team of four: two specialized pilots and two paramedics, the majority of whom are designated as critical care.

Current Georgian Bay Area Landing Sites:

There are seven helicopter bases in Ontario: Toronto, Ottawa, London, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Kenora and Moosonee. Sudbury and Toronto are the most likely responding bases for us on Georgian Bay as the helicopters have a mid-range of about 250 kilometres.

The map below shows hospitals and health care facilities in green and helipads in yellow:

Green are hospitals and health care centres. Location in yellow are Ornge pads.

Blueprint for the Future: “We Respond” Strategic Plan

To meet the growing demand of Ontario’s aging and expanding population, the province is making significant investments in Ornge’s physical and human infrastructure:

Fleet Expansion: Ornge is in the midst of a total fixed-wing fleet renewal. By 2026, the fleet will increase to 12 aircraft (up from 8), with further expansion through 2031 to include more fuel-efficient and technologically advanced models. (4 new and 8 replacement Pilatus PC-12s).
Front-line Staffing: The plan targets a 50% increase in front-line staff by 2029. This includes a massive recruitment drive for Critical Care Paramedics and specialized pilots.
Mental Health Teams: By 2026, two dedicated 12/7 mental health teams will be fully operational to provide rapid response for specialized care.
Enhanced First Response: Ornge is assuming responsibility for Emergency First Response Teams (EFRT) in northern regions, providing them with new medical “pods,” specialized trucks, and standardized training to bridge the gap until an aircraft arrives.
New Sudbury Facility: New hangar and Fixed wing aircraft to complement the current Rotor wing operation launched in 2025.
Coming in 2027: A new base at Lake Simcoe for special mission aircraft: a state-of-the-art Pilatus PC24 jet.

Additional Resources:

ORNGE

How Ornge Responds to Emergencies

Current Georgian Bay Area Landing Sites:

Blueprint for the Future: “We Respond” Strategic Plan

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