rnkelly said:
MarioMike,
In your position as a Toronto paramedic, are you of the opinion that Orng is going towards the american trend? What are provinces' options? Are you less than impressed?
As another pointed out, they cancelled CHCs contract which tells me Orng is planning on expanding so much that they feel they can do the helicopter operations better/cheaper on their own. Impressive in itself, they might be biting off more than they can chew.
Thanks for asking, rnkelly. But, I am retired. I schlepped a lot of people on and off all types of aircraft.
ORNGE is impressive compared to what used to be.
What the animated cartoon illustrates is the huge amount of resources ( Fire and H-EMS ) that are now being sent to Motor Vehicle Collisions.
If we request H-EMS at an emergency scene in Toronto, it must be during daylight hours. At night, they must land at licenced helipads, or airports. The patient must meet Field Trauma Triage FTT guidelines for transport to a Trauma Centre. The Paramedics must be in physical contact with the patient before requesting a helicopter. Severe traffic congestion, or an entrapment lasting longer than 30 minutes could justify requesting H-EMS.
Under no circumstances should transport of a patient be delayed waiting for a helicopter.
I enjoyed watching the TV show "Trauma". A huge fuel tanker fireball ( looked about five stories tall! ) on the freeway with choppers buzzing around. There has been some amazing TV news lately of H-EMS action in Toronto filmed by news helicopters.
I was reading a story about residents who live near a Buffalo, N.Y. Trauma Centre becoming sick and tired of the sudden increase in helicopter traffic.
This is a video of Dr. Mazza President & CEO, Ornge speaking on the subject ( You must first click "Videos" ):
http://nsb.com/speakers/view/christopher-mazza
"In July 2005, Dr. Mazza led the integration of all parts of the air ambulance system into the not-for-profit Ornge - today the largest and most active transport medicine service in North America."
"Canadian Helicopters says Ornge will not extend services agreement":
http://www.thestar.com/article/869071--canadian-helicopters-says-ornge-will-not-extend-services-agreement
"Myth Busting: Helicopters save lives":
http://www.thomcosafetynet.com/handouts/2007/BryanBledsoe.pdf
"The helicopter is used excessively for scene transport of trauma victims in our metropolitan trauma system."
"Please don't call them heroes":
http://christinenegroni.blogspot.com/2010/07/please-dont-call-them-heroes.html
H-EMS pilot worries:
http://christinenegroni.blogspot.com/2010/03/ems-helicopter-pilot-worries-if-they.html