Lawson, Michael and Shannon respond to a suspicious car that appears to be following an armoured van. As Lawson talks to the man, Michael's suspicions about some roadworkers get the better of him and he violates standard operating procedure by taking on a group of robbers single-handedly. When the men find out that Michael is there, his life hangs in the balance.
Rush follows the lives of members of the prestigious Tactical Response team (TR), which is based on the real life Victoria Police Critical Incident Response Team, a highly mobile unit that fills the operational gap between general duties police and the SWAT-like Special Operations Group. The team is seen responding to unhappy incidents such as carjackings, sleepings and armed offences. Rush focuses on the TR officers, their intelligence officers, Leon, Audrey and Inspector Kerry Vincent, head of the TR administration. It explores both the working and personal lives of the team.