Celebrating 40 years of dedicated air ambulance service in Ontario
April 21, 2017
21 April, 2017
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Mississauga
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By: Par: Joshua McNamara
Ornge, Ontario’s provider of air ambulance and related services, is proud to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Ontario Air Ambulance Program in 2017.
MISSISSAUGA, ON, April 21, 2016 – Ornge, Ontario’s provider of air ambulance and related services, is proud to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Ontario Air Ambulance Program in 2017.
Ontario’s Air Ambulance program was formally established by the Ministry of Health in 1977 with a single helicopter named “Bandage One” based out of Toronto’s Buttonville Airport associated with Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. The program was expanded in 1981 to Sioux Lookout, Thunder Bay, Timmins and Sudbury and saw further expansion to Kenora, Moosonee, Ottawa and London in 1999. In 2008, Ornge opened Critical Care Land bases in Ottawa, Peterborough and the Greater Toronto Area, including the Ted Rogers Paediatric Transport Team.
“We are proud to be a part of a program with such a long history as an integral part of the province’s healthcare system,” says Dr. Andrew McCallum, President and CEO of Ornge. “The program has evolved immensely over the past 40 years and has made a positive impact on many lives across the province. We look forward to the next 40 years and continuing to serve Ontario’s patients.”
A number of events are scheduled throughout the year to celebrate this milestone. Ontarians are encouraged to join us as we celebrate at:
- Doors Open Toronto, May 27
- Kenora Paramedic & Emergency Services Appreciation Event, May 28
- Ontario Air Ambulance 40th Anniversary Golf Tournament, June 19
- Canada Day at Canada Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa, July 1
- Sikorsky S-76 hull donation to Canada Aviation and Space Museum, TBD
More events will be released throughout the year on Ornge’s Twitter and Facebook accounts.
Ornge encourages employees, current and former, and anyone else with historical knowledge or photos of Ontario’s Air Ambulance Program to share with us at
info@ornge.ca or by using #OAA40 on social media.
Patients who have been transported by air ambulance in Ontario over the past 40 years are encouraged to share their stories to
mystory@ornge.ca or call our patient story hotline at 1-866-245-3671.
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