History
The first recognised ambulance service in New South Wales, known as the Civil Ambulance and Transport Brigade, commenced operations on 1 April 1895. The first ambulance station was a borrowed police station in Railway Square, Sydney staffed by two permanent officers. Patients were transported on hand-held stretchers and handlitters.
The Brigade was a dedicated community based organisation, operating the first horsedrawn ambulance in 1899 and first motor vehicle in 1912, both donated to the Brigade by the public. Radio controlled vehicles commenced operation in 1937, a rescue service in 1941, a training school in 1961 and Air Ambulance in 1967. Advanced life support and intensive care vehicles were introduced in 1976.
Over 100 years on, we now employs over 3,700 staff, operates from 266 different locations across the State, boasts over 800 ambulances, 300 support vehicles, four fixed wing aircraft and tasks nine helicopters.
The people of New South Wales can be justifiably proud of the ambulance service they have built, and the dedicated men and women who continue the traditions of excellence in pre-hospital care.
Our Proud Past
Click on any image below to display a larger image with text.
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1880 - 1890 |
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1890 - 1900 |
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1900 - 1910 |
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1910s |
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1910 - 1920 |
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1920 - 1930 |
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1930s |
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1930 - 1940 |
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1940 - 1950 |
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1950 - 1960 |
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1960s |
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1960 - 1970 |
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1970s |
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1970 - 1980 |
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1980 - 1990 |
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1990s |
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1990s |
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1990 - 2000 |
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2000 - 2002 |
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2002 - 2004 |
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2004 - 2005 |
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2006 - 2007 |
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2007 - 2008 |
Proud
past – dynamic future.
Ambulance has a rich and diverse history, celebrating its centenary in 1995. Scroll through the images in our interactive timeline to trace the development of the Ambulance Service of NSW or read more about the eight pointed cross with the Ambulance logo.