ORNGE air ambulance slashes 18 jobs

ORNGE has reportedly slashed 18 jobs effective immediately.

According to media reports, the province's air ambulance service says it's an effort to reduce costs.

But it says the restructuring only affects office positions and not pilots or paramedics.

ORNGE is also giving the axe to its charity organization, J-Smarts, which educates children about cottage country safety.

Ontario Health Minister Deb Matthews cleaned house at the agency earlier this month after months of controversy surrounding its questionable business practices, posh headquarters and high executive salaries.

Meantime, Premier Dalton McGuinty has said he has concerns about how ORNGE is being operated, but he won't confirm reports that his government is probing several deaths involving the service.