At the commencement of a shift, Paramedics should be able to staff an operational Ambulance in order to respond 000 calls. The ASNSW requires Paramedics to be 'ready to respond' at the commencement of their shift but unfortunately ASNSW is unable to always guarantee the availability of an operational vehicle for use by a fresh crew at start of shift.

There is a reasonable expectation of stakeholders that both a fresh crew, in an operational vehicle, be available throughout shift rotations.

Below, are accounts as reported by our members, of shifts commenced without an operational Ambulance vehicle and thus the crew are unable to respond to 000 calls.

1. 20/08/2010 Toronto Station, Northern Division.Night shift crew signed on at 5:00pm without an operational Ambulance as one day shift crew were bed blocked at John Hunter Hospital, the other were at Hamilton Station for area coverage and the only other spare vehicle was off station undergoing repairs at the workshop. Night shift crew waited in excess of 40 minutes for an operational Ambulance to become available.
   
   
   
2. 12/04/10 - Paddington Station, Sydney Division
   Three day shift crews signed on at 7am;  only one operational ambulance vehicle available on station. The other two day shift crews were without vehicles until 8am when the two night shifts crews returned to station.
   
   
   
3. 11/04/10 - Paddington Station, Sydney Division
   Three day shift crews signed on at 7am; only one operational ambulance vehicle available on station. Second car became available at 7:30am when first night shift crew returned to station. The third day shift crew drove a non-operational vehicle to hospital to relieve second night shift crew.
   
   
   
4. 28/05/09 - Blacktown Station, Sydney Division
   Intensive Care Paramedics crew signed on at 7pm without an operational vehicle until the return of day shift at 8pm.
   
   
   
5. 21/05/09 - Fairfield Station, Sydney Division
   Both night shift crews signed on at 7pm without an ambulance vehicle. One car became available at 7:30pm when a day shift crew returned. The other night crew had to wait until after 8pm.
   
   
   
6. 14/05/09 - St Ives Station, Sydney Division
   Intensive Care Crew signed on at 7pm. Had no ambulance vehicle until return of day shift at 7:30pm
   
   
   
7. 14/05/09 - St Ives Station, Sydney Division
   Primary Care Crew signed on at 7pm. Had no ambulance vehicle until 7:55pm. St Ives 4WD ambulance, which could have been used as a spare, is currently unavailable as it is being used for administrative purposes.
   
   
   
8. 01/05/09 - Terrigal Station, Northern Division
   Night shift crew signed on at 6pm without an ambulance until return of day shift at 7pm.
   
   
   
9. 28/04/09 - Springwood Station, Sydney Division
   Night shift paramedics began shift at 6pm. Had no ambulance vehicle until the return of day shift at approximately 7pm.
   
   
   
10. 28/04/09 - Ettalong Station, Northern Division
    Both night crews signed on at 6pm without an ambulance as day shift were still out working. Had no ambulance until the return of day shift at approximately 7pm.
    
    
    
11. 23/4/09 - Springwood, Sydney Division
    Paramedic crew signed on at 8am. Did not have an ambulance vehicle to use until 10:20am until the return of the night shift crew.
    
    
    
12. 13/04/09 - Concord Station, Sydney Division
    Crew signed on at 6pm without an operational ambulance until return of day shift at 6:50pm.
    
    
    
13. 03/04/09 - Fairfield, Sydney Division
14. Both (2) night shift paramedic crews signed on with no operational ambulance vehicle to use until the return of day shift vehicles at approximately 6:30pm
    
    
    
15. 31/03/09 - Lane Cove Station, Sydney Division
    Night shift Intensive Care Ambulance signed on at 7pm without and operational ambulance. Had to wait until 8pm for the return of an ambulance vehicle.
    
    
    
16. 29/03/09 - Colyton, Sydney Division
    Intensive Care Paramedic crew on duty at 8am & had no operational ambulance until 9am.
    
    
    
17. 27/03/09 - Ettalong Station, Northern Division
    Paramedic crew signed on at 6pm without an operational ambulance until 6:30pm.
    
    
    
18. 13/03/09 - Castle Hill and Wahroonga Stations, Sydney Division
    Single Paramedic commenced shift at Castle Hill at 6:00pm, to be deployed to Wahroonga for the shift but had no ambulance vehicle available. Had to wait until return of day shift vehicle and then travel to Wahroonga, finally arriving at 7:30pm. Availability of double crew at Wahroonga therefore delayed for 90 minutes.