Victoria’s triple zero service anticipated an increase in demand for COVID-19.

Tony Pearce, the Inspector-General for Emergency Management, claims that Victoria’s triple zero service “knew what was coming” before the COVID-19 peak. Pearce authored the report for the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority (ESTA), which indicated that since December 2020, delays had led to the deaths of at least 33 persons.

He claimed that ESTA modelling from 2020 correctly predicted the impending spike in demand for emergency services.
He also added, “The numbers that they came up with (in modelling) were very close to the numbers that occurred during the peak,”

Pearce claimed that while ESTA appeared to be aware of the impending catastrophe, it lacked the same level of confidence in its ability to spend the money required and cope with the fallout as other emergency organisations. Despite the report’s conclusions, the inspector general said Victorians should have faith in a system that is improving and that last month answered more than 90% of calls within five seconds.

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Pearce also said, “At the end of the day if ESTA isn’t able to provide its service, the other organisations simply can’t respond. That’s how critical they are in the loop,”