TIMMINS - The upcoming expansion of the Ornge Air Ambulance base in Sudbury could create potential staffing challenges for more northern communities, says Marc Renaud.
The chief of paramedic services told Cochrane District Services Board (CDSB) members at the Nov. 21 meeting that the expansion could mean increased competition for hiring paramedics.
Ornge, the province’s air ambulance provider, is amid a $108-million expansion in Sudbury and the northeast. It recently announced it's acquired a new hangar at the Greater Sudbury Airport, which will serve as a "superbase."
Fixed-wing aircraft, rotor-wing aircraft and critical-care land ambulances will operate out of the site. Two new 24/7 fixed-wing aircraft will begin operations from the new hangar in 2026, serving patients primarily in Northeastern Ontario, along with the James and Hudson Bay coast.
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To support the expansion, Ornge plans to hire up to 30 paramedics.
While the expansion is expected to improve air ambulance services and response times across the north, Renaud said the timing of Ornge’s hiring drive could lead to increased competition for paramedic talent, particularly for the Cochrane District Paramedic Service (CDPS), which also plans to recruit new staff in spring 2025.
“I think everybody's familiar with our staffing challenges over the last few years,” Renaud said.
“Unfortunately for us as a service provider here, adding 30 positions for paramedics in the north may cause some fluctuation in our ability to draw and attract staff. So this may impede some of our efforts to recruit in the spring and increase our staffing levels.”
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Current CDPS paramedics may also apply to Ornge, further contributing to turnover and complicating staffing efforts for the district’s paramedic service, Renaud said.
In light of these concerns, Renaud emphasized the need for proactive recruitment efforts and stronger staff retention strategies.
To address the potential staffing shortfall, CDPS plans to initiate early recruitment campaigns, enhance staff retention strategies and maintain open communication with Ornge to better align hiring timelines, Renaud said.
