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 “provide Ontario’s patients with safe and timely care, transport and access to healthcare services”. Only 7% of ORNGE transports are on-scene emergency response. 93% of ORNGE transfers are inter-facility transfers moving patients from one hospital to another in remote communities.
ORNGE uses 7 helicopter bases in Ontario: Toronto, Ottawa, London, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Kenora and Moosonee. Each base is equipped with a Leonardo AW139 helicopter; Toronto has two.
ORNGE Response
When a 911 call comes in, hospitals, EMS, and primarily, Central Ambulance Communications Centres directly request ORNGE service based on the emergency criteria. ORNGE Operations Control Centre (OCC) has a physician on duty 24/7 that remotely assesses the patient’s situation and gives medical orders to the helicopter crew and the hospitals. The OCC dispatches the most appropriate asset and coordinates logistics with EMS.
Each helicopter is staffed with 2 pilots and 2 paramedics. The majority of paramedics are designated as critical care. During the day ORNGE can perform on-scene response, and in some circumstances, can even perform “hover exits” where the paramedics exit the helicopter to reach the patient in areas where the helicopter can’t safely set down. At night the pilots who are night vision goggle-trained will only land at identified and approved helipads or airports.
Having an ORNGE-approved and, ideally, Transport Canada-certified or registered helipad in your area increases the likelihood of ORNGE response in your community. At night this is an absolute requirement.
Helipads
ORNGE is happy to assist groups interested in helipads by providing information. They can provide all the specifications that must be met to create an approved helipad. Contact either Jeff DeMille or James Dennison for more information at jdemille@ornge.ca or jdennison@ornge.ca or call 1-800251-6543.
ORNGE does not build or service helipads. Funding would need to be explored with your local municipality or service board.
Current Georgian Bay Area Landing Sites:
- West Parry Sound Health Centre – Hospital Helipad CRS2
- Killarney Health Centre – Killarney Airport – CPT2
- Mactier Health Centre – Mactier Helipad R111
- Manitoulin Health Centre – Hospital Helipad CNT4
- Britt Area Nursing Station – Britt Helipad R029
- Pointe au Baril Nursing Station – Parry Sound Helipad CRS2
Additional Resources:
How ORNGE’s Emergency Services Work
ORNGE website