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Ornge to hire new paramedics for Thunder Bay base

"We are pleased to announce this enhancement of what is a vital
service in the northwest, given the vast geography and long distances
between medical facilities," said Dr. Andrew McCallum, president/CEO of
Ornge. "The new paramedic shift will allow us to improve our ability to
respond on-scene with our helicopter, while continuing to meet the need
for long distance transports with our airplanes."

Ornge will add a
third team of paramedics dedicated to performing transports on the
helicopter. This crew will complement the two fully staffed medically
equipped airplanes that operate out of the Thunder Bay base. The change
will mean that each of the three Ornge aircraft in Thunder Bay – a
helicopter and two airplanes – will have its own dedicated crew of
paramedics, supporting 24/7 operations in Thunder Bay.

Starting
immediately, Ornge will seek to increase staffing levels in Thunder Bay
by recruiting and training additional paramedics.

"These changes
won't happen overnight, but we're committed to demonstrating progress in
the coming months by making the staffing levels in Thunder Bay a
priority," added McCallum.

This measure builds on recent
improvements at Ornge, including the hiring of aviation executive Rob
Giguere as the organization's Chief Operating Officer, an improved
patient relations process, the hiring of a patient advocate, and
introduction of a new conflict of interest policy and a whistleblower protection policy.