Emergency helicopter pads to be built in James Dick's Caledon pits

James Dick Construction Limited is pleased to announce its participation in the Pits to Pads program, giving Caledon residents better access to emergency health care. Ornge, the organization that operates Ontario's emergency helicopter medivac system, has signed a letter of intent with James Dick to permit emergency use of its Caledon Sand & Gravel Pit on Highway 10 as an emergency landing field. Other James Dick locations are also being considered.

When accidents happen during the day, helicopters can easily land on roads or in open spaces near the accident scene. However, the challenge comes at night or during bad weather when obstacles to a safe landing are not visible. In those cases road ambulances must be used and valuable time is lost where lives may be at risk. By pre-designating emergency landing sites, Ornge helicopter pilots utilize predetermined approach patterns and can safely land even in periods of low visibility. This means that critically injured patients can be transported to trauma centres quickly, saving time and lives in the process. Lights or reflective beacons will be installed to make the emergency landing pads safe.

"We are very pleased to be part of this program and to give Caledon residents even better access to emergency services should they ever need them," said Greg Sweetnam, resource manager with James Dick. "Ornge is a first class outfit and has used creative approaches, such as this alliance with the Ontario Sand Stone and Gravel industry to provide better service for Ontarians."

Before this expansion, safe night landing sites were well dispersed, usually at local airports. With the Pits to Pads Program, gravel pits located in strategic positions will provide emergency sites that will fill in the network and cut response times.

The company is quick to point out that residents need not worry about helicopters becoming a nuisance. The emergency pads will only be used for emergencies or for training purposes.

"When you see a helicopter at these sites it will be because a life is being saved. Let's hope we never need to use them but we can all take comfort that they are there," Sweetnam added.

James Dick Construction Limited is a construction materials company located in Caledon since 1964 and is the third largest employer in Caledon behind Husky Injection Molding and Mars Canada.

Ornge is targeting 25 helipad locations in central Ontario for 2007.

"We will continue to increase our helipad inventory by collaborating with the communities of Ontario to identify and secure additional donated space," said Steve Farquhar, Ornge operations director. "In the case of traumas, the first 60 minutes are crucial. Our helicopters and flight paramedics are able to respond rapidly and, by converting suitable space for use as a helipad, we can shorten our response time improving patient care."

Additional helipads means Ornge will increase its aero medical transport services ability to attend to patients at on-scene locations and provide service otherwise not available to remote and rural locations in Ontario.

"This expansion is possible because of an innovative and collaborative approach combining operating efficiencies found within Ornge and establishing working relationships with a host of interested organizations," explained Farquhar. Organizations such as the provincial Ministries of Transportation and Natural Resources; the aggregate industry (gravel pits/quarries - owners and operators), Management of Abandoned Aggregate Properties (MAAP) and conservation authorities.

Ornge operates from 26 bases across the province and completes 18,000 admissions annually. It coordinates all aspects of Ontario's aero medical transport system and authorization of air and land ambulance transfers between hospitals.

Ornge is dedicated to propelling life through innovative transport medicine.