Ornge donates decommissioned helicopter to Fanshawe College

At a special event on May 3, 2018, Ornge announced the donation of a decommissioned Sikorsky S-76A helicopter to Fanshawe that will directly benefit nearly 300 students in the College’s School of Public Safety and the Norton Wolf School of Aviation Technology.

Paramedic and Advanced Care Paramedic students in the School of Public Safety will use the helicopter in simulated exercises to reinforce air ambulance transportation, landing zones and safe practices during patient transfers. Fanshawe’s aviation students in the Norton Wolf School of Aviation Technology will learn from the removed rotor hub and transmission as teaching aids.

“This helicopter will be a tremendous asset in reinforcing theory, while providing our students with real-life simulations for better experiential learning,” said Peter Devlin, President of Fanshawe College. “We thank Ornge for its generous corporate commitment, which allows us to attract top-notch students to our leading-edge programs in both of these Schools.”

“With the donation of this aircraft, we know that countless students will have the opportunity to learn and train on a helicopter with a distinguished history. We are hoping that some of these students will aspire to work for Ornge in support of our very important mission serving the people of Ontario and apply what they’ve learned to our operation,” says Rob Giguere, Ornge Chief Operating Officer and Deputy CEO. “During its time with Ornge, this aircraft was used to transport thousands of patients to safe and timely care.”

In the future, Fanshawe plans to extend training opportunities using the helicopter to all community paramedic services, fire departments and police services.

Left to right: Scott Bernaerts, Paramedic student; Zach Law, Aviation student; Phil Surtees, Fanshawe Foundation; Rob Giguere, Ornge Chief Operating Officer and Deputy CEO; Peter Devlin, President, Fanshawe College; Bob Siskind, Fanshawe College Board of Governors.