Paramedics in the Macedon Ranges attended 777 critical incidents with lights and sirens during the past three months and average response time was 16 minutes and 44 seconds.
Ambulance Victoria released data last week and revealed the mean response times for all Code 1 incidents. The Macedon Ranges was slower than the state-wide average by about one minute. These time-critical events require lights and sirens, and include patients suffering a cardiac arrest, heart attack, stroke or major trauma.
Mount Alexander Shire had 312 similar incidents and had a slower average response time of 18 minutes and 45 seconds.
Ambulance Victoria’s state-wide aim is to respond to 85 per cent of all Code 1 events within 15 minutes. The data revealed about 65 per cent met this target.
Regional director for Ambulance Victoria, Michael Georgiou, said the state’s paramedics responded to 98,874 Code 1 incidents between April and June 2025.
“From April to June 2025, the state-wide average response time to Code 1 emergencies was 15 minutes and 27 seconds – down from 15 minutes and 37 seconds a year ago, ” Mr Georgiou said.
“Winter is always our busiest time. Our paramedics are focused on reaching the sickest patients first – but every day, more than 500 calls to Triple Zero (000) don’t need an emergency ambulance.”
Less urgent incidents that are acute, but not time-critical, are given a Code 2 and the average response time across the state – for more than 51,000 calls – was about 45 minutes in the past three months.
The interactive map below features the average response times in each Local Government Area.
Macedon Ranges paramedics responded to 503 Code 2 incidents and were about five minutes quicker than the state average. Mount Alexander paramedics responded to 210 of these incidents and were almost five minutes longer than the state average.
A Response times is measured from the time a call to Triple Zero (000) is answered until the first ambulance arrives at the scene.
Minister for Ambulance Services, Mary Anne Thomas, told the Express Victorian paramedics were facing record demand.
“Our paramedics have never been busier, facing record demand – and we’re backing them in with more funding, training and support so they can keep providing world-class care in every corner of Victoria,” Ms Thomas said.
“Despite this demand, our paramedics across the Macedon Ranges and Mount Alexander Shire continue to deliver world-class care to locals – but we know there is more to do.
“It’s why we’re investing in alternative care pathways including the Virtual Emergency Department and Nurse on Call – so our paramedics are available for patients most in need.”
The VVED program redirected more than 46,000 non-urgent cases away from an emergency response in April and June this year.
Ambulance Victoria advised the Express they weren’t aware of anything specific that impacted the results of the Macedon Ranges and Mount Alexander response times.
