OPP chopper maintenance to be based in Orillia

Orillia Packet & Times -

Helicopter maintenance will be centralized in Orillia.

OPP will begin using the existing aviation facility at General Headquarters in Orillia as the maintenance base for both helicopters in the Helicopter Aviation Unit.

The move will enable OPP to extend aviation service hours and improve aviation response for the entire province, according to police.

“Determining where the highest demand for specialized services are, while providing an increased level of service, is all part of the OPP’s strategic plan as we strive to be more accountable to the citizens of this province,” Brad Blair, deputy commissioner of traffic safety and operational support, said in a statement. “One central maintenance base will allow the helicopter aviation team to respond to a greater number of calls for service, for more hours each day, across the province.”

Currently, OPP helicopters are based for maintenance in two locations — at headquarters in Orillia and a leased location in Sudbury.

After maintenance is centralized in Orillia, both helicopters will continue to be deployed throughout the province for search and rescue, drug-eradication efforts and to take specialized OPP teams to calls for service in a timely manner.

Once the changes come into effect, OPP will add an afternoon shift to improve response capabilities.

OPP uses four aircraft to deliver aviation services across the province. The fleet includes two fixed-wing aircraft, including the Pilatus, which is used for prisoner and personnel transport, the Cessna used for traffic control and two Eurocopter helicopters.