Residents in the fast-growing regions of Kingston and Bridgewater will benefit from the employment of 11 new frontline paramedics as part of the State Government's commitment to provide better health services to communities. 

The Premier, Lara Giddings, said the Government was investing an additional $1.5 million into ambulance services in the region. 

"The new paramedics will ensure these growing communities have a full contingent of career paramedics to allow Ambulance Tasmania to provide two-person paramedic crews at all times," Ms Giddings said.

"Unfortunately, emergencies can strike any one of us, or our loved ones, at any time and in any place around the state.

"The State Government is committed to investing in our ambulance service to ensure Tasmania s can have peace of mind that help is never far away."

The new positions are funded from the State Government's commitment of $48 million over four years in the 2009-10 State Budget toward building a sustainable ambulance service.

"This investment has resulted in more staff, an upgraded fleet, new capital works, and new training and communication initiatives.

"It has helped maintain and improve our ambulance service to ensure it meets future demands for healthcare delivery in local communities."

Ms Giddings thanked volunteer ambulance officers at the Kingston and Bridgewater Stations - who will be replaced by the new paramedics - for their work and sacrifice over many years.

These volunteers will be offered placements at other stations that rely on volunteers to help paramedics deliver ambulance services, like Huonville.

Recruitment for Bridgewater started last year when the Australian Government funded extra positions to ensure the needs of the Pontville Immigration Detention Centre did not reduce local community ambulance services.

These temporary arrangements will now be taken over by the State Government and become permanent. Recruitment to fill the remaining new positions will start in the next fortnight.

"This will also give our own University of Tasmania inaugural paramedic graduates an even greater chance to work in their chosen profession right here in Tasmania," Ms Giddings said.