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Over 20 years of life-saving service

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) Emergency Rescue Helicopter Service began in August 2003 with a single aircraft based at Jandakot Airport. When RAC came on board to support the helicopters soon after, it wasn’t just about sponsorship — it was about making a real difference together. A shared commitment to protect lives in Western Australia, by responding to a range of emergencies with speed, skill and compassion.

Since then, the service has grown to three AW139 helicopters from two dedicated bases and has flown more than 10,500 missions. Today, the RAC Rescue helicopters respond faster, reach further and bring hope from above to more parts of our state than ever before.

Open historic timeline

The helicopters are made possible by:

The helicopters proudly operate alongside our state’s first responders, including dedicated regional volunteers. Every mission is a team effort, with our crews working closely with medical teams to ensure each patient’s care continues seamlessly from rescue to recovery.

Why we fly

Most RAC Rescue missions happen far from city lights, in regional areas where help can be hours away. By the time the helicopters arrive, local first responders and volunteers have often played a critical role in stabilising and supporting patients on the ground.

When needed, the RAC Rescue helicopters can transport patients directly to the rooftops of Perth’s major hospitals. Every minute saved can make a life-changing difference.

Whether it’s a serious crash, a medical emergency on the water or a rescue in rugged terrain, RAC Rescue is ready - day and night.

RAC Rescue Helicopter landed, surrounded by bushland

Meet the crew

Every time an RAC Rescue helicopter lifts off, a highly skilled crew is on board, ready to face the unknown. From the moment a call comes in, they can be airborne within 15 minutes, trained and prepared for some of the most complex situations.

Flight crews are provided through CHC Helicopter Australia and St John WA, bringing together extensive experience in aviation and critical care medicine. It’s not just the crews in the air, dedicated CHC engineers and administrators also play an integral role behind the scenes, maintaining the helicopters, coordinating operations, and ensuring every life-saving flight can launch without a moment’s delay.

Pilots
Air Crew Officers
Critical Care Paramedics

These are highly trained medical professionals capable of advanced emergency procedures, from blood transfusions to intubation, all outside a hospital environment. Critical Care Paramedics often deliver care in challenging conditions, and when needed they go down the wire using the helicopter’s electric hoist to reach a patient in need.

Crew in focus

Chris

RAC Rescue Pilot

Bio
  • Chris joined RAC Rescue in 2015 and was part of the commissioning of the Bunbury Rescue Base.
  • He started his aviation career in 2003 in New Zealand as a flight instructor and charter Pilot.
  • Chris joined CHC in 2008 on RAAF Search and Rescue operations.

Jon

RAC Rescue Air Crew Officer

Bio
  • Jon joined RAC Rescue in 2022.
  • He started his aviation career in 2013 as a forest firefighter on a Heli-rappel crew in Alberta, Canada.
  • In 2019, he joined CHC Helicopter as a Rescue Crew Officer (RCO) on a search and rescue (SAR) contract, supporting the Navy flying squadrons, before transferring to RAC Rescue.

Allan

RAC Rescue Critical Care Paramedic

Bio
  • Allan joined St John WA in 1999 and became a paramedic in 2001.
  • He has worked across multiple roles including Shift Operations Manager and On-Road Team Leader.
  • After qualifying as a Critical Care Paramedic, he joined RAC Rescue in 2006.

Elliott

RAC Rescue Air Crew Officer

Bio
  • Elliott began his aviation career in 2017 with CHC Helicopter as a search and rescue (SAR) Rescue Crew Officer (RCO) at RAAF Base Pearce, where he spent four years in the role before becoming a SAR Air Crew Officer (ACO) in 2020.
  • He became a part of the Check and Training team in 2024 training new RCOs and ACOs.
  • Elliott joined the RAC Rescue helicopter crew in December 2024 over the busy Christmas and New Year period and regularly works between both Jandakot and Bunbury bases.

Ron

RAC Rescue Pilot

Bio
  • Ron initially joined RAC Rescue in 2016 in Bunbury.
  • He started his aviation career in 1990 as a private pilot and then joined the military in 1993.
  • Since leaving the Air Force in 2001, he has flown all over the world including Thailand, West Africa, China, New Zealand and Myanmar.
  • After a short period flying Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in New Zealand, Ron rejoined CHC in 2019 as the Chief Pilot for Asia Pacific, then transitioned back to RAC Rescue in 2025.
Want to join the team?

For aviation careers, reach out to CHC Helicopter Australia. For clinical roles, connect with St John WA.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a fee to be rescued?
What’s the most common type of mission?
Can the helicopters fly at night?
How fast can the helicopters respond?
How do I get help from RAC Rescue?
Can I join the RAC Rescue team?
Can I do work experience with RAC Rescue?
Can the helicopter come to my school or event?
How do the RAC Rescue team operate to provide 24/7 coverage?
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