st john vehicle with helicopter in background

Emergency Rescue Helicopter Service

St John is at the heart of Western Australia’s emergency aeromedical response, providing critical care paramedics on board the RAC Rescue Helicopter and coordinating aircraft tasking through the State Health Operations Centre (SHOC).

The service ​responds to a wide range of emergencies, including serious road crashes, cliff and water rescues, farming and industrial accidents, as well as inter-hospital transfers and search and rescue operations.

Our critical care paramedics are highly trained in intensive care and aeromedical medicine, ensuring patients receive advanced clinical treatment from the moment of contact - at the scene of the incident and during transport to the hospital.

man in red uniform walking near landed yellow helicopter

This essential service reflects St John’s commitment to delivering expert, life-saving care whenever and wherever it’s needed most. With helicopters based at Jandakot and Bunbury and a third on standby, the service covers a response radius of 350km and reaches over 90 per cent of the WA population. The service is funded by the State Government, managed by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES), and sponsored by RAC.