ORNGE Aircraft Sits Idle For Hours, Company Says Medics Not 'Vehicle Specific'

The helicopter operated by ORNGE Thunder Bay in Ontario, Canada reportedly sits idle for hours at a time when it could be responding to medical emergencies because of a shortage of trained paramedics to fly on the aircraft.

Pilots have noted "No Medics" in their logbooks hundreds of times over the past year, according to a report in the Canadian online news site thestar.com. Sources inside the company told the service that reassigning the medics means that it can not respond to accidents or other emergencies in areas that only a helicopter can reach. However, ORNGE spokesman James MacDonald said that company medical personnel are "not vehicle specific."

Log entries show that the helo was listed as "out of service" 237 times over 10 months for lack of medics available to fly.

The service has 170 paramedics, according to the Canadian Auto Worker's Union which represents them. Union official Ron Smith said he was unaware that the helicopter was out of service so frequently, and said a team should be assigned to Thunder Bay to be sure it is always staffed.

MacDonald defended the staffing decisions, saying medical personnel are assigned to "the most appropriate and efficient vehicle to meet the patients needs." He said that using the current system the Thunder Bay base has reached 57 percent more patients with no increase in cost.

FMI:  www.ornge.ca