Please read the below before proceeding.

The mission of the ERHS is to save lives and support all-hazards emergency operations by rapidly deploying and inserting the rescue capabilities of the aircraft and personnel directly to an incident scene, and if required, transport the rescued to the appropriate medical facility.
The purpose of the event request form is to enable organisations with a valid need for ERHS support to request and justify attendance by, or support from ERHS helicopters or its personnel. Requests for support including helicopter and/or crew attendance or visits to ERHS bases will be considered on merit and prioritised. Due to increased operational tempo between November – March, requests during this time may not be approved due to aircraft and crew availability. Requesters acknowledge that the ERHS may be operationally tasked at any time regardless of training, media, and community event commitments. Requesters should also note the following considerations:
- The ERHS is fully funded by the State Government. This means that the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) is accountable to the community and other stakeholders for the safe and efficient use of ERHS resources.
- St John Ambulance (SJA) is contracted to provide Critical Care Paramedics integrated into helicopter crews; be responsible for patient care and clinical governance aspects of the ERHS; and provide helicopter tasking dispatch and coordination, from the SJA State Operations Command Centre.
- CHC Helicopters Australia is contracted to provide ERHS helicopters & aircrew, engineering and logistical support. Operations are conducted under the CHC Air Operator’s Certificate and the Terms and Conditions of the Contract. The Pilot is ultimately responsible for the safe and compliant operation
of the helicopter and therefore has the right to refuse, cancel or abort a task if they suspect public or aircraft safety is compromised. CHC also has the discretion to refuse public entry to the helicopter and the ERHS bases.
- DFES acknowledges the support of the principle sponsor of the ERHS – Royal Automobile Club of Western Australia (RAC WA) which contributes funding towards the Jandakot and Bunbury based helicopters. RAC WA has certain rights regarding ERHS helicopters’ media commitments and public information. In the public domain, the ERHS helicopters are to be referred to as “RAC RESCUE”.

Benefit to ERHS: What is the event benefit to the ERHS? Benefits may include but not be limited to: operational familiarisation with stakeholders, enhancing operational safety or patient care, improving operational or occupational safety, ERHS brand recognition, community awareness of the service, or enhancing first response and training.
Adequate Warning: Requesters should submit this form at least at least twelve (12) weeks prior or the request may be cancelled prior to the requested event.
Rescue Helicopter Airbase Tour: Group/bus transportation is recommended. The contact person should call the base one (1) hour prior to scheduled time to confirm availability. Closed-toed shoes must be worn during base visits. High heeled shoes are not recommended. Group bookings are limited to 30 in size - larger groups may request separate bookings. Children under the age of six (6) are not permitted. Groups with minor aged children will require one (1) adult chaperon for every eight (8) children. All visitors will be required to undergo a facility orientation and safety induction.
Flying Demonstrations: It is the Requester's responsibility to gain approvals from local government and property owners as appropriate and allow up to twelve (12) weeks for any required CASA approvals by the helicopter contractor.
Planning for community events: Consider the suitability of the event to host the ERHS helicopter. The helicopter will arrive after the event has been set up and may take-off at any time during the event. If there are tents or light structures near the helicopter during landing and take-off, they will likely be damaged or destroyed. The Requester must be able to control public access to the helicopter. If not, then the event may be unsuitable for a helicopter visit.
Landing Clearances/Approvals/Notifications: It is the Requester's responsibility to facilitate approval from local government and landowners for the helicopter to land by the event and ensure compliance with all Helicopter Safety Procedures. It is also the Requester's responsibility to provide notification to neighbouring houses / businesses of the noise and helicopter activity for the requested event.
Requester’s Media & Public Relations Undertaking: If approved, the requesting person and organisation shall comply with DFES media and public relations guidelines. Please contact media@dfes.wa.gov.au for information.
Submitting Requests:
Please note -

• DFES, CFRS, SES, VFRS units should submit requests through the DFES chain of command.
• WA Police Force, Department of Health / WACHS, St John Ambulance and BFB training requests should be submitted to the ERHS Coordinator ERHS@dfes.wa.gov.au
• Marine Rescue groups will CC the request to: info.vmrs@dfes.wa.gov.au
• All other requests should be submitted to: ERHS@dfes.wa.gov.au

The Golden Rules: 1. Clear the landing area of all persons, vehicles, animals (particularly dogs that are attracted to the high frequency pitch of the helicopter tail rotor), light structures (i.e. marquee or tent), and any other obstructions. 2. Keep ALL people, vehicles, animals, light structures, and equipment at least 75 metres away from the landing site as the helicopter creates very strong down draft that can cause gravel, grass and dust etc. to be blown around. 3. Do not approach the helicopter on landing, a crew member will come to you once the helicopter has shut down and blades have completely stopped. 4. Once the helicopter has landed and is shut down, do not approach, touch or enter the helicopter without consent from a crew member. 5. Do not touch the outside of the helicopter as it may be hot. 6. Do not touch any radio antennae or other protruding objects from the helicopter. 7. Do not stand on any part of the aircraft without supervision of the crew. 8. Do not smoke or have a naked flame within 30 metres of the helicopter. 9. Closed-toed shoes must be worn if entering the helicopter, with no high heels.

Suitable Landing Sites:

Event Coordinators are responsible for ensuring the landing site meets the following specifications and that all safety procedures are strictly adhered to.
Areas suitable for the helicopter to land must be:
• Flat ground at least the size of two tennis courts (50 metre diameter);
• Clear of obstructions (i.e. Trees, power lines, light poles, light structures - tents, etc.); and
• Free of loose material (i.e. Branches, plastic bags, scrap metal, small gravel, etc.).
Helicopter rotor blades are finely balanced and even a light object such as an empty plastic bag drawn up into the rotor disc can cause major damage.
Event Coordinators should appoint several Landing Marshalls to clear the area and ensure it remains clear of any people or obstructions. The Landing Marshalls will also be called upon to quickly clear the area if an emergency call-out is received, and for the scheduled departure of the helicopter.

Viewing the Helicopter:
The helicopter and on-board equipment are state of the art technology. It is expensive and can be easily damaged. Event Coordinators are asked to help ensure members of the public behave appropriately around the helicopter and its equipment.
Rescue helicopters are crewed by a Pilot, an Aircrewman (supplied by CHC Helicopters Australia) and a Critical Care Paramedic (supplied by St John Ambulance). The crew are happy to talk to the public about their job and the role of the Emergency Rescue Helicopter Service.
Final operational matters regarding the helicopter rest with the Pilot.

Please note:

• Requests may be rescheduled, cancelled, or declined at any time if the aircraft or flight crew are tasked to a job. Please note November-March is the busiest period for the RAC Rescue service due to increased operational tempo.
• We welcome media requests regarding the inclusion of the RAC Rescue Helicopter at your event or activity. Please contact media@dfes.wa.gov.au with the details of your request.