In designated metropolitan and most rural areas across New South Wales, ambulance paramedics are required to perform on call duties for some periods of time.

This "on-call" duty serves to allow the highest possible coverage of all areas as well as serving to minimise response times.

Throughout this time, the on-call paramedic has approved use of a marked ambulance vehicle. Though, technically not on a rostered shift, the on-call paramedic is required to respond to medical emergencies as the need arises.

Members of the public may wonder why they may see an ambulance occasionally doing daily domestic functions (shopping, dropping off children at school etc.) but rest assured this is in accordance with the Ambulance Service policies relating to on-call duties.

The public of NSW should feel reassured by seeing ambulance vehicles driving around town knowing that these paramedics are prepared to interrupt their normal daily life so as to provide 24 hours per day coverage to their local community.