RAC Rescue helicopters 5000th mission milestone

The service has played a pivotal role over the past 13 years providing life-saving medical treatment.

RAC General Manager Corporate Affairs Will Golsby said RAC is committed to saving lives and reducing serious injuries on our roads.

“The impact of road trauma is devastating, and RAC is proud to sponsor both RAC Rescue helicopters, having sponsored the Perth-based service since its inception in 2003,” Mr Golsby said.

Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) Assistant Commissioner Gary Gifford said one of the most common tasks the RAC Rescue helicopter service has attended over the years is road crashes, which account for two thirds of all call-outs.

"This year, 63 percent of fatal road crashes have sadly occurred on country roads, highlighting how important it is for country areas to be able to access high level medical care as quickly as possible,” Assistant Commissioner Gifford said.

"By transporting patients by air, the RAC Rescue helicopter saves precious time that could be the difference between life and death following an accident.”

The RAC Rescue helicopter service covers 95 percent of the State and responds around the clock to a range of emergencies including road crashes, farming incidents, land searches, marine rescues and time-critical hospital transfers.

The RAC Rescue helicopters are manned by a critical care paramedic, rescue crewman and an experienced pilot.

Based in Perth and Bunbury, the RAC Rescue helicopters provide vital search and rescue critical care medical services to the WA community. They are funded by the State Government, managed by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services and sponsored by RAC.