Newcastle paramedics will have the option of wearing body cameras to provide extra security while on the job, as part of a 12-month trial.
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Paramedics based at the Hamilton ambulance station, along with those from the Liverpool and Eveleigh bases in Sydney, will take part in the program the state government announced on Wednesday.
Sixty cameras will be used in the trial, which could be rolled out across NSW if results are successful.
Australian Paramedics Association NSW president Chris Kastelan, who has been an ambulance officer on the Central Coast for more than two decades, said the union was not convinced the trial was anything other than an "administrative control" to help NSW Ambulance look as if it was doing something positive.
"Whilst we welcome any investment to reduce occupational violence against local paramedics, we need to be sure that the strategies are going to hit the ground running and provide paramedics - because lets face it, they are the ones being assaulted here - the knowledge that these strategies are going to impact their ability to do their clinical and public roles, safely," Mr Kastelan told the Newcastle Herald.
"We are yet to be shown that this will be the case.
"Recent trials have shown no discernible reduction on occupational violence towards paramedics."
The Hunter is no stranger to assaults against paramedics.
A 32-year-old man was charged in April after he allegedly abused and assaulted a paramedic while he was being treated in the back of an ambulance at Mayfield.
About a year ago, a 29-year-old man was charged after he allegedly threatened and assaulted a paramedic at Honeysuckle.
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said body-cam footage could be used as evidence in the prosecution of those accused of assaulting paramedics.
"We need to look after the people who look after us and if this technology can help deter abuse and assaults against front-line paramedics, we need to give it go," he said.
"Hopefully, agitated individuals will modify their behaviour when they realise their actions are being recorded because our paramedics are not a punching bag for anyone's frustration."
NSW Ambulance chief executive Dominic Morgan said the cameras would be "another set of eyes" for paramedics.
Aside from deterring violence, Dr Morgan said there was also scope to use body-cams for training purposes.
APA NSW secretary Gary Wilson said the union did not believe the body-cams "will have any significant value in preventing violence against paramedics".
"There are a range of significant issues that have not been addressed by NSW Ambulance, including paramedic safety, privacy and trial evaluation," Mr Wilson said.
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