New helipad at Paramedic Services HQ

A new helipad introduced by York Region Paramedic Services in partnership with Ornge promises faster, safer and more efficient transport of critical patients to trauma centres and centres with specialized care.

The helipad, located at Paramedic Services headquarters in East Gwillimbury, is part of a one-year pilot project that allows Paramedic Services to have an Ornge company-approved helipad, which allows its air ambulances to land at any time.

This project is especially important following last November’s closure of Buttonville Airport in Markham, as it previously provided helipad access for ORNGE within York Region. Since its closure, patients who needed transport to Southlake Regional Health Centre in Newmarket had to land at Pearson International Airport or Billy Bishop on Toronto Island during daytime hours.

Ornge has the largest air ambulance and critical care land ambulance fleet in Canada and performs about 20,000 patient-related transports per year.

Photo courtesy of York Region.