Established 1977, is the air ambulance service for the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care of the province of Ontario.
Formerly known as Ontario Air Ambulance.
As of 2019, Ornge operates 12 AW139 helicopters from eight bases across the province of Ontario which transports more than 4,500 patient each year.
Formerly known as Ontario Air Ambulance.
As of 2019, Ornge operates 12 AW139 helicopters from eight bases across the province of Ontario which transports more than 4,500 patient each year.
Ornge, Ontario's air ambulance and critical care transport service, has a history that traces back to the establishment of the provincial air ambulance program in 1977. This initial service was created to address the need for medical transport in remote areas of Ontario, particularly in the northern regions. The program began with a single Bell 212 helicopter, named "Bandage One," operating out of Buttonville Airport. Over the following years, the service expanded, adding more Bell 212 helicopters and introducing fixed-wing aircraft in 1978. For more than two decades, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care contracted private operators to provide the aircraft, pilots, and paramedics for the air ambulance program.
In 2005, the Ontario Air Ambulance Corporation was formed as a not-for-profit entity to centralize and manage all air ambulance operations, aiming for clearer lines of authority and a shift away from direct government service delivery. This corporation's name was subsequently changed to Ornge. In 2007, Ornge Air was created to acquire its own aircraft. The organization has since operated a diverse fleet. Historically, this has included Sikorsky S-76 helicopters, and since 2010, Ornge utilizes Leonardo AW139 helicopters for rotary-wing operations. For longer-distance transports, their fixed-wing fleet primarily consists of Pilatus PC-12 NG aircraft, with plans to add Pilatus PC-24 jets in the future to further enhance their capabilities for serving northern and rural communities. Ornge continues to play a vital role in Ontario's healthcare system, providing critical care transport for patients, medical teams, and organs for transplant across the province.
In 2005, the Ontario Air Ambulance Corporation was formed as a not-for-profit entity to centralize and manage all air ambulance operations, aiming for clearer lines of authority and a shift away from direct government service delivery. This corporation's name was subsequently changed to Ornge. In 2007, Ornge Air was created to acquire its own aircraft. The organization has since operated a diverse fleet. Historically, this has included Sikorsky S-76 helicopters, and since 2010, Ornge utilizes Leonardo AW139 helicopters for rotary-wing operations. For longer-distance transports, their fixed-wing fleet primarily consists of Pilatus PC-12 NG aircraft, with plans to add Pilatus PC-24 jets in the future to further enhance their capabilities for serving northern and rural communities. Ornge continues to play a vital role in Ontario's healthcare system, providing critical care transport for patients, medical teams, and organs for transplant across the province.
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