Despite the demand, crews recorded a response time of 13.64 minutes yesterday, better than the monthly average of 13.76 minutes. 

Ambulance Tasmania chief executive Neil Kirby said the day was reminiscent of a natural disaster, in terms of calls

“It was a tremendous effort from all our paramedics, ambulance officers and call takers and dispatchers,” he said.

“Anecdotally, Monday was on a par with the number of calls Ambulance Tasmania responded to during the Dunalley bushfires in 2013, so it was a phenomenal effort from all our staff.”

Mr Kirby said a recent review of Ambulance Tasmania had highlighted increased demand for ambulance services across the state, which was why additional paramedics were being trained.

“An extra 35 paramedics are joining Ambulance Tasmania and this will help ensure we can get ambulances to people who need emergency medical intervention,” he said

Mr Kirby said the public had an important role to play in ensuring ambulances were dispatched appropriately.

“Unfortunately, we still receive emergency 000 calls which are simply not genuine emergencies,” he said.

“Calling 000 for an ambulance will not get anyone any sort of priority treatment at a hospital, unless a patient is in genuine need of emergency medical care.

“We need to save 000 for saving lives.”