Emergency Services Unite for New Virtual Reality Experience

RAC has proudly supported Western Australia’s emergency rescue helicopters, known as RAC Rescue, since 2003.

To raise awareness and educate the community, RAC, with the support of DFES, launched the RAC Rescue Experience (RRE) in 2016.

The RRE is a powerful community engagement initiative that uses virtual reality technology to immerse participants in real-life rescue scenarios. Where possible, participants sit onboard a repurposed Bell 206 helicopter which travels around the State on the back of a trailer.

The original Experience featured a road crash rescue simulation, placing viewers in the middle of the action as the RAC Rescue crew and emergency services worked together to stabilise and airlift the patient.

In May 2025, following the introduction of the new State Government-funded AW139 helicopters, DFES and RAC joined forces again to film three new virtual reality rescue scenarios.

The updated Experience now includes a:

• Road crash rescue
• Marine rescue
• Land search and rescue

These new scenarios are recommended for ages seven and above and provide a first-hand look at how WA’s emergency services respond to critical situations.

To check if the RRE is heading to your area—or to see if it is available to attend your next community event—visit the new RAC Rescue website.

The RRE is managed by RAC as part of their naming rights sponsorship of the RAC Rescue helicopters. The new RRE videos were made possible with involvement from:

• RAC Rescue flight crews
• Wanneroo-Joondalup State Emergency Service
• Marine Rescue Rockingham
• Mandurah Career Fire and Rescue Service
• Mandurah Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service
• WA Police Force
• St John WA

The RAC Rescue helicopters are funded by the State Government, managed by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) and sponsored by RAC.

Image: The RRE in action at AFAC2025.