Ambulance Australia is an Australian factual television program on Network 10 that follows the New South Wales and Queensland Ambulance Services, from the Triple Zero Control Centres to paramedics on the road.[1] It is based on the original UK factual series Ambulance.

Ambulance Australia
GenreFactual television
Based onAmbulance
Narrated by
Country of originAustralia
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons5
No. of episodes38 + 3 specials
Production
Executive producers
  • Sarah Thornton
  • Tony De La Pena
  • Keely Sonntag
Producers
  • Maria Handas
  • Natalie Green
Production locationsSydney, New South Wales
Camera setupMulti-camera
Running time50—75 minutes
Production companyEndemol Shine Australia
Original release
NetworkNetwork 10
Release16 October 2018 (2018-10-16) –
present
Related
Ambulace

The show premiered on October 16, 2018,[2] and followed NSW Ambulance call-takers, dispatchers and paramedics as they faced high pressure situations on a daily basis. They are the first to respond to urgent and emergency calls, using their training and experience to make split second decisions that can mean the difference between life and death as they step into situations that can be emotionally fraught or physically dangerous. Filming for Season 1 occurred in mostly metropolitan areas of Sydney.

The show was renewed for a second season, which premiered on Tuesday 26 February 2019.[3] This series focused on the summer period from December 2018 to February 2019. A special three-episode season called Ambulance Australia: Ultimate Emergencies premiered on Sunday 8 September 2019, with some of the worst emergencies of the first and second seasons.[4]

A third season was renewed on 22 September 2019, filming with the Queensland Ambulance Service, to showcase the "Sunshine State's" paramedics and their crucial work, in the state with the highest number of responses to medical incidents every year.[5] It premiered on 6 February 2020.[6] A fourth season was commissioned in October 2020[7] and premiered on 9 February 2022.[8][9]

Episodes edit

Series overview edit

SeriesAmbulance serviceEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
1New South Wales Ambulance816 October 2018 (2018-10-16)4 December 2018 (2018-12-04)
2826 February 2019 (2019-02-26)30 May 2019 (2019-05-30)
Specials38 September 2019 (2019-09-08)22 September 2019 (2019-09-22)
3Queensland Ambulance Service86 February 2020 (2020-02-06)26 March 2020 (2020-03-26)
489 February 2022 (2022-02-09)6 April 2022 (2022-04-06)
5New South Wales AmbulanceTBA7 February 2024 (2024-02-07)TBA

Season 1 (2018) edit

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleOriginal air dateAustralian viewers
11"Episode 1"16 October 2018 (2018-10-16)638,000[10]
Follow Sydney Ambulance workers from the call takers to the paramedics on the scene. Tonight paramedics rush to help a pregnant woman who has gone into labour after a car accident.
22"Episode 2"23 October 2018 (2018-10-23)734,000[11]
A woman falls off a 15-meter cliff. A rookie paramedic faces a confronting case. A catastrophic crash threatens the life of a beloved husband. A young son is trapped seizing in a bathroom.
33"Episode 3"30 October 2018 (2018-10-30)673,000[12]
A shortage in ambulances. Long wait times for patients heading to Liverpool Hospital. A horrific motor vehicle accident. Brain injury. A house fire. Suspected domestic violence. All this in the day-in-the-life of a paramedic.
44"Episode 4"6 November 2018 (2018-11-06)605,000[13]
A call taker tries to revive a hanging patient over the phone when the family's given up. A heart attack turns into a race against the clock. A gruesome double stabbing pushes the limits of the team.
55"Episode 5"13 November 2018 (2018-11-13)600,000[14]
It is not an ordinary Sunday for NSW Ambulance, as eighty thousand people hit the streets in Sydney's annual City2Surf. Paramedics drive through the crowds to locate someone in trouble. A deadly drug overdose and a drunk and enraged ice addict - all this in a day in the life of a paramedic.
66"Episode 6"20 November 2018 (2018-11-20)618,000[15]
In this episode we see the highest possible medical intervention, while a legally blind patient with PTSD vents his frustration for the lack of hours for home care aid, while a spike in GHB and cocaine overdose cases sends late-night crew into action during a blood moon Friday night.
77"Episode 7"27 November 2018 (2018-11-27)731,000[16]
Crews are called to a motorcycle accident in peak hour traffic, and paramedics must solve the cause of an elderly woman's excruciating pain. Call taker Laura celebrates her last shift in the control centre before leaving to become a paramedic, while a devastating car crash on the far outskirts of Sydney throws crews into overdrive as they face the tyranny of distance.
88"Episode 8"4 December 2018 (2018-12-04)734,000[17]
Former call-taker Laura goes out on her very first shift on the road as a paramedic. Her first call-out sees her attend a man suffering chest pains at Sydney's busy airport, while veteran paramedic Carolyn faces a life or death situation when a 90 year old woman suffers a heart attack. On a construction site, Duty Operations Manager Brian needs to rescue a worker who's fallen from a height. But getting him out of the building site into the ambulance proves to be extremely tricky.

Season 2 (2019) edit

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleOriginal air dateAustralian viewers
91"Episode 1"26 February 2019 (2019-02-26)441,000[18]
The officers deal with a high volume of pregnancy-related calls in summer; emergency workers respond to a car crash on a remote dirt road.
102"Episode 2"5 March 2019 (2019-03-05)451,000[19]
Paramedics Ali and Josh respond to an urgent stabbing and get stuck in the middle of a terrifying street brawl, and the worst hail storm tears through the city.
113"Episode 3"12 March 2019 (2019-03-12)463,000[20]
The crews attend the scene of an explosion at a worksite, which has left three men with burns and smoke inhalation, a motor vehicle accident involving two cars, a young girl who has fallen from a horse, and a man with a sore finger. Sisters Sam and Tammie receive a surprise when a suspected deceased patient is found alive and well.
124"Episode 4"19 March 2019 (2019-03-19)476,000[21]
This episode focuses on the Duty Operations Managers (DOMS). Mick attends a suspected terrorist incident at a consulate, newly promoted Joe goes to the scene of a factory explosion that has left one man with 40 per cent burns to his body. Brian recalls the Victoria fires as he treats firefighters at a north western Sydney bushfire.
135"Episode 5"26 March 2019 (2019-03-26)483,000[22]
With an emergency phone call every ten seconds, it is Australia's biggest night: New Year's Eve! The ambulance service is stretched to its limits and then something terrible occurs at the worst possible time: a cardiac arrest...
146"Episode 6"2 April 2019 (2019-04-02)439,000[23]
Ambulance Australia follows people in the business of saving lives, going beyond the flashing lights to the heart and soul of heroes.
157"Episode 7"23 May 2019 (2019-05-23)454,000[24]
Paramedics are called to a bomb threat at Sydney Airport, while good friends Mosh and Karen are called to a 35-week pregnant woman who has not felt her baby move in 10 hours and has severe bleeding.
168"Episode 8"30 May 2019 (2019-05-30)411,000[25]
It is one of the busiest days of the year for paramedics, Australia Day. Faced with an increase in alcohol related calls Sam and Tammy attend to a man passed out in the middle of the road in his car.

Season 3 (2020) edit

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleOriginal air dateAustralian viewers
171"Episode 1"6 February 2020 (2020-02-06)481,000[26]
A sudden car crash in front of their ambulance forces Pete and Phil to perform one of the most extraordinary resuscitations from a deadly heart attack ever captured on film. Also, call taker Jaimi talks a family through a labour while waiting for paramedics to arrive. Paramedics rush to a number of MDMA overdoses after the RiverFire Festival and Listen Out Brisbane Music Festival.
182"Episode 2"13 February 2020 (2020-02-13)525,000[27]
Senior Operations Supervisor Brad responds to an injured driver involved in a fatal car crash as a result of speeding. In the midst of the graveyard shift, the Operations Centre springs into action when Callum receives a report of a multi-causality stabbing from a home invasion in Brisbane's North.
193"Episode 3"20 February 2020 (2020-02-20)494,000[28]
The team face the realities of life between birth and death. A newborn baby birthed in a car, an infant needing CPR and a two-year-old boy struggling to breathe.
204"Episode 4"27 February 2020 (2020-02-27)447,000[29]
When a motorbike rider falls traveling at high speed, his injuries are so severe that highly trained paramedic, Aaron, must turn the side of the road into an operating theatre to save his life.
215"Episode 5"5 March 2020 (2020-03-05)547,000[30]
A woman stranded on a remote walking track, unable to make her way out, must rely on the help of emergency services, and a devastating house fire causes a severe case of smoke inhalation.
226"Episode 6"12 March 2020 (2020-03-12)526,000[31]
A frantic call from a witness to a serious motor vehicle accident requires concise and reassuring advice from the emergency medical dispatcher in the Operations Centre as the caller steps in to help.
237"Episode 7"19 March 2020 (2020-03-19)506,000[32]
The importance of first aid is shown while paramedics battle the logistics of extricating a man at a train station. Things turn bizarre as paramedics help a man struck in the groin by a javelin.
248"Episode 8"26 March 2020 (2020-03-26)675,000[33]
A fast-acting neighbour responds to panicked calls for help as emergency medical dispatcher Sarah's clear and calm advice attempts to avoid a potentially lethal incident from escalating.

Season 4 (2022) edit

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleOriginal air date [34]Australian viewers
251"Episode 1"9 February 2022 (2022-02-09)294,000[35]
In this season's premiere, we follow Shane and Shelly, who must help a patient in need of urgent care after an incident involving a car. The incident is classified as a code 1A, the most serious emergency.
262"Episode 2"16 February 2022 (2022-02-16)278,000[36]
A man claims to have jumped off Brisbane's Story Bridge and we see the effects this has on the professionals who are racing to piece together a puzzle to try and save a life.
273"Episode 3"23 February 2022 (2022-02-23)N/A
The low blood sugar levels of 23-year-old type one diabetic have led to a dangerous seizure. Another code 1A comes in for two-year-old Levi, suffering serious respiratory issues.
284"Episode 4"2 March 2022 (2022-03-02)N/A
When a head-on collision leaves one driver trapped in their car, Tash, a specialist Critical Care Paramedic, is faced with a difficult decision to try and save the woman's life.

Season 5 (2024) edit

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleOriginal air dateAustralian viewers
331"Episode 1"7 February 2024 (2024-02-07)N/A
During this episode, paramedics are called to a 7-year-old boy gasping for air, and a serious multi motor vehicle accident where a rescue is hampered by downed power lines and a childbirth emergency.
342"Episode 2"14 February 2024 (2024-02-14)N/A
A child makes an alarming call about a 5-year-old stuck in mud, but all is not as it seems. A suspected stroke is reported at an alleged workplace, only to find a severely intoxicated man at a party.
353"Episode 3"21 February 2024 (2024-02-21)N/A
Ambulance NSW responds to an 88-year old's severe head wound, a hair-raising motorbike accident, a life-saving CPR call, a serious burns incident and a challenging 170kg patient extraction.

Specials edit

No. in
season
TitleOriginal air dateAustralian viewers
1"Ultimate Emergencies: Episode 1"8 September 2019 (2019-09-08)277,000[37]
2"Ultimate Emergencies: Episode 2"15 September 2019 (2019-09-15)301,000[38]
3"Ultimate Emergencies: Episode 3"22 September 2019 (2019-09-22)278,000[39]

International distribution edit

In 2019, Season 1 of the series is aired on TVNZ 2 in New Zealand and TVNZ On Demand, the same week as Australia airing the week after the corresponding episode in season 2.[40] On 13 February 2020, New Zealand began airing the second season of the show. Seasons 1 and 2 of the series are available for streaming through Amazon Prime and on BBC iPlayer in the United Kingdom.

References edit

  1. ^ Knox, David (12 August 2018). "TEN Green Lights Ambulance Australia". TV Tonight. Retrieved 12 August 2018.
  2. ^ Ameila-Jordan, Simone (9 October 2018). "Network Ten Confirms Launch Date of New Ambulance Australia". 10 Daily. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
  3. ^ Knox, David (1 November 2018). "Upfronts 2019: 10: Variety, New Dramas, Multichannel Rebrand". TV Tonight. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  4. ^ Ryan, Aaron (1 September 2019). "10 Program Schedule for Week Commencing September 8, 2019". TV Blackbox. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
  5. ^ Monforte, Lorraine (22 September 2019). "The Sunshine State Breeds Heroes — Ambulance Australia Commences Production in Queensland" (PDF) (Press release). Network 10. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
  6. ^ Knox, David (17 January 2020). "Returning: Ambulance Australia". Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  7. ^ Knox, David (15 October 2020). "Upfronts 2021: 10". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 17 October 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  8. ^ Knox, David (20 October 2021). "Upfronts 2022: 10". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 20 October 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  9. ^ "Not All Heroes Wear Capes. They Wear Teal". Network 10. ViacomCBS ANZ. 25 January 2022. Archived from the original on 25 January 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  10. ^ Knox, David (26 October 2018). "Timeshifted: Tuesday 16 October 2018". TV Tonight. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
  11. ^ Knox, David (3 November 2018). "Timeshifted: Tuesday 23 October 2018". TV Tonight. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
  12. ^ Knox, David (10 November 2018). "Timeshifted: Tuesday 30 October 2018". TV Tonight. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
  13. ^ Knox, David (16 November 2018). "Timeshifted: Tuesday 6 November 2018". TV Tonight. Retrieved 16 November 2018.
  14. ^ Knox, David (23 November 2018). "Timeshifted: Tuesday 13 November 2018". TV Tonight. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
  15. ^ Knox, David (10 December 2018). "Timeshifted: Tuesday 20 November 2018". TV Tonight. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  16. ^ Knox, David (10 December 2018). "Timeshifted: Tuesday 27 November 2018". TV Tonight. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  17. ^ Knox, David (26 December 2018). "Timeshifted: Tuesday 4 December 2018". TV Tonight. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  18. ^ Knox, David (13 March 2019). "Timeshifted: Tuesday 26 February 2019". Retrieved 13 March 2019.
  19. ^ Knox, David (16 March 2019). "Timeshifted:Tuesday 5 March 2019". Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  20. ^ Knox, David (23 March 2019). "Timeshifted: Tuesday 12 March 2019". Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  21. ^ Knox, David (29 March 2019). "Timeshifted: Tuesday 19 March 2019". Retrieved 29 March 2019.
  22. ^ Knox, David (6 April 2019). "Timeshifted: Tuesday 26 March 2019". Retrieved 6 April 2019.
  23. ^ Knox, David (12 April 2019). "Timeshifted: Tuesday 2 April 2019". Retrieved 12 April 2019.
  24. ^ Knox, David (1 June 2019). "Timeshifted: Thursday 23 May 2019". Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  25. ^ Knox, David (14 June 2019). "Timeshifted: Thursday 30 May 2019". Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  26. ^ Knox, David (14 February 2020). "Timeshifted: Thursday 6 February 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  27. ^ Knox, David (21 February 2020). "Timeshifted: Thursday 13 February 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  28. ^ Knox, David (28 February 2020). "Timeshifted: Thursday 20 February 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  29. ^ Knox, David (6 March 2020). "Timeshifted: Thursday 27 February 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  30. ^ Knox, David (13 March 2020). "Timeshifted: Thursday 5 March 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  31. ^ Knox, David (20 March 2020). "Timeshifted: Thursday 12 March 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
  32. ^ Knox, David (28 March 2020). "Timeshifted: Thursday 19 March 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  33. ^ Knox, David (3 April 2020). "Timeshifted: Thursday 26 March 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  34. ^ "Ambulance Australia – Listings". Next Episode. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  35. ^ Knox, David (10 February 2022). "Wednesday 9 February 2022". TV Tonight. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
  36. ^ Knox, David (17 February 2022). "Wednesday 16 February 2022". TV Tonight. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
  37. ^ Knox, David (20 September 2019). "Timeshifted: Sunday 8 September 2019". Retrieved 20 September 2019.
  38. ^ Knox, David (27 September 2019). "Timeshifted: Sunday 15 September 2019". Retrieved 27 September 2019.
  39. ^ Knox, David (5 October 2019). "Timeshifted: Sunday 22 September 2019". Retrieved 5 October 2019.
  40. ^ "Ambulance Australia". tvnz.co.nz. Retrieved 22 March 2019.

External links edit