St John Ambulance is facing a 'code black', with the service at peak capacity. Respiratory illnesses and sickness in its own ranks is piling the pressure on too.
Last week alone there was an 11 percent jump in 111 calls, and a 7 percent increase in ambulance responses.
That is compared to what is expected during the winter months.
Dan Ohs, St John deputy chief executive for ambulance operations, says they have had to stand up a special emergency command centre to deal with demand.
