The SA Ambulance Service says the number of incidents of physical and verbal abuse against paramedics has increased by 74 per cent over the past two years.
In the previous 12 months there have been 99 incidents of aggression, compared to 57 in 2012.
SA Ambulance Service chief executive Rob Morton said the assaults included bites, kicks and punches and at least three cases have gone to court in the past six months.
He said the violence is unacceptable.
“Under no circumstances will the SA Ambulance Service tolerate any violence or threat of violence, whether verbal or physical, against our staff,” he said.
Mr Morton, who is also an intensive care paramedic and regularly treats patients, said the current situation is not good enough and issued a stern warning.
“There is no excuse for abuse. We do everything we can to respect patients, we ask the community to show the same respect for us,” he said.
Meantime the State Government will launch a public awareness campaign, stating that the increase in reported attacks was alarming and unacceptable.
Health Minister Jack Snelling said any incident of violence and aggression towards health workers is one too many.
“Paramedics are here to save lives – the next life they save might be yours,” he said.
Mr Snelling said of the 99 incidents reported last financial year, 34 were recorded as the most serious types of assault.
That compares to just 18 incidences in the most serious category just two years ago.
“These hard-working ambulance officers are here to help others and they shouldn’t be subjected to any type of abuse,” Mr Snelling said.
“That is why the Government will be ramping up its effort to remind all South Australians of the great work our ambulance officers do and why any acts of violence or aggression will simply not be tolerated.”