Every day, the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Western Australia (RFDS) stands ready to respond 24/7, no matter how remote the call for help may be.
Across WA, our aircraft land at more than 800 locations. Some places have no sealed runway, lights or road access for hundreds of kilometres.
But every one of these landing sites represents a person, a family and a community relying on the RFDS to reach them.
Behind every retrieval is an extraordinary level of careful coordination by the RFDS Regional Operations Centre at Jandakot that receives more than 650 calls every day.
“Our Operations Coordinators stand out for their heart and dedication,” said Nadia Somers, RFDS’s Head of Logistics and Business Continuity.
“They succeed because they believe in the retrieval, in each other and they never lose sight of the people and communities who rely on the RFDS every day.”
Before a retrieval is confirmed, the clinical team assess the patient’s needs. Pilots evaluate weather, visibility and the aircraft performance limits. Operations Coordinators bring together all the vital details to ensure a safe retrieval.
Often, help on the ground comes from locals, people who step in to prepare a landing site or assist a patient before the RFDS arrive. It’s a network built on trust, teamwork and compassion.
“It’s not the work itself, but what it represents. In some of the most remote places in WA, people come together to ensure someone gets the vital care they need,” said Nadia Somers.
“It’s never just a flight - it’s a collective effort that stretches across the sky, the state, and the community.”
