Danuka's snake bite emergency
When Danuta Witkowicz and her hiking group ventured out east of Mount Gorrie one Sunday, they never imagined the emergency that would unfold.
Sponsored by RAC, funded by the State Government and managed by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) the RAC Rescue helicopters provide vital search and rescue and critical care medical services to the WA community.
RAC Rescue celebrated 20 years of service to the WA community on 11 August 2023.
Since the inception of the service back in 2003 the helicopters have completed over 9,500 rescue missions and flown more than two million kilometres across WA.
In this video we reflect on how the service has evolved in two decades and the impact it has had on so many West Australians.
On behalf of the WA community, we thank DFES and the RAC Rescue crew for 20 years of life saving missions.
RAC has been supporting WA's only 24/7 emergency rescue helicopter service since 2003. Since then, the RAC Rescue helicopters have flown more than 9,500 missions.
The RAC Rescue helicopters respond to a wide range of emergencies including:
Other operations include aerial intelligence and reconnaissance, 24-hour disaster and incident aerial mapping operations, emergency personnel and equipment transport and Inter-Hospital Patient Transport.
A third RAC Rescue helicopter provides backup to ensure the two primary helicopters maintain an online status of more than 90 per cent. The backup helicopter can be mobilised to support All-Hazards rescue operations, as it did during the Carnarvon floods, Tropical Cyclone Seroja, Kimberley floods, and the Total Solar Eclipse in Exmouth.
Over the past five years, the RAC Rescue helicopters have a yearly average of:
On 4th May 2023, RAC Rescue completed its 9500th rescue mission since the inception of the service in August 2003. In that time over 6,500 patients have been transported and over 2 million kilometres travelled across WA.
On each mission, the RAC Rescue helicopters fly with a crew that includes a Pilot, an Aircrew Officer and a Critical Care Paramedic (CCP). The RAC recue crew can be airborne within 15 minutes of receiving a call.
RAC Rescue crew:
We actively encourage our community to learn more about and engage with the RAC Rescue helicopters.
The RAC Rescue Experience enables you to take to the sky with the crew using virtual reality technology. The four-minute, 360-degree experience takes you on a mission on board one of the RAC Rescue helicopters without leaving the ground.
To enquire about having a virtual reality experience at your next event, click the button below.
RAC Rescue takes part in a limited number of community events, base visits, and training exercises. We also arrange reunions for those rescued by RAC Rescue, so that they can meet the flight crew who assisted them.
To request RAC Rescue for an event, exercise, rescue reunion or to schedule a base visit, please complete the online Event Request Form.
Since 2003, the RAC Rescue helicopters have performed over 9,500 missions.
With one helicopter base in Perth and the second base in Bunbury, rescue missions can be performed as far north as Jurien Bay and as far south as Windy Harbour.
See some of the missions performed on the map below.
The RAC Rescue helicopters are sponsored by RAC, funded by the State Government and managed by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES).
Stories from the RAC Rescue crew and the people whose lives they've helped save
When Danuta Witkowicz and her hiking group ventured out east of Mount Gorrie one Sunday, they never imagined the emergency that would unfold.
Days before his daughter was born, Greg Robbins had a freak ocean accident that saw him onboard RAC Rescue.
A family trip to the beach ends in an emergency transfer with the RAC Rescue Helicopter.
When Witchcliffe local Julie Townsend set out on a peaceful horse ride on the Easter long weekend, she never expected to finish the day with an emergency flight on the RAC Rescue Helicopter.
While on a surfing trip with mates, Jack's day takes a dramatic turn and ends in a lifesaving rescue
Sebastian had just celebrated his 10th birthday. The very next day he was fighting for his life in an RAC Rescue Helicopter.
Have you or a loved one been rescued by the RAC Rescue helicopter?
If you’d like to share your story or meet the crew involved in your rescue, we would love to hear from you.
Please complete the event request form and we will be in touch.
832 Wellington Street,
West Perth, Western Australia, 6005
This website is created by The Royal Automobile Club of WA (Inc.). © 2023 The Royal Automobile Club of WA (Inc.).
RAC acknowledges and pays respects to the Traditional Custodians throughout Australia. We recognise the continuing connection to land, waters and community.