Withlacoochee Regional Search & Rescue Squad

10/22/2025

🚨 Now Recruiting Volunteers!
Join the Withlacoochee Regional Search & Rescue Squad, Inc. — a 100% volunteer force multiplier for Central Florida public safety.
From K-9 and Mounted Units to Medical, Drone/UAS, and Technical Rescue, there’s a place for YOU on our team.

🔹 Free training & certifications
🔹 Real-world missions assisting law enforcement and fire rescue
🔹 A family of dedicated public safety professionals

📍 Based in Marion County and serving across 10 counties statewide.

🖱️ Apply today: www.WRSARS.org/volunteer
✉️ Email: contact@wrsars.org | ☎️ (352) 497-8202

“We follow their footsteps… so others may live.”

10/19/2025

🐾🚨 Big News from WRSARS! 🚨🐾
We’re thrilled to announce something brand new from our Chief, Samuel J. “Sam” Matychak III — a series of Coloring Books, Activity Books, and Comics starring his newest creations: Ranger the Rescue Dog and Echo the SAR Pup! 🐶✨
These two brave pups are on a mission to teach kids about safety, teamwork, and helping others — all through fun, creativity, and adventure! Over the past few weeks, Chief Sam has been developing the first two-part “Ranger the Rescue Dog” coloring book series, and we’re excited to share a few sneak peek pages below! 🎨📘
People said it couldn’t be done — but that never stopped us before. 💪
WRSARS has always been about service, education, and protecting the most vulnerable — our children.
Chief Sam’s inspiration comes from a lifetime in public safety — from his early days as a volunteer firefighter in the Hudson Valley to years of service here in Florida. He’s seen firsthand the importance of teaching safety and awareness early on. These books turn those experiences into something positive — something that saves lives through learning. ❤️
👉 Follow Ranger and Echo as they share lessons about search and rescue, wilderness safety, and being prepared.
👉 Support the project by sharing this post and helping spread the word!
👉 Together, we can inspire the next generation of helpers and heroes — one coloring page at a time.

10/17/2025

The Officers and Members of Withlacoochee Regional Search and Rescue Squad, Inc. would like to welcome their two newest members, Ranger the Rescue Dog and his son Echo the SAR Pup. Join them in their adventures and safety tips throughout the year. Welcome to the Team Ranger and Echo.

10/15/2025

On behalf of the Officers and Members, we would like to wish our Deputy Chief/ Director of Training/ Vice President/ Co-Founder Joe Talley a Wonderful Joyful Happy Birthday.

10/03/2025

09/30/2025

If you like help our organization, here is our link for our fundraising platform. Remember your generous donation will go a long way by us purchasing necessary equipment and supplies we need to make our mission complete. It will help send members to specific specialized training, our insurance to cover our members if they get hurt, our equipment if it gets stolen and much more.
So please feel free to click on the link below, we are a State of Florida Charitable Organization ( State ID -77339) and a Federal 501-C-3 (Federal EIN #33-3000532). The purpose of the platform is to know where your donation are going and will be spent on.

Here’s the link:

Withlacoochee Regional Search and Rescue Squad, Inc., is a 100% volunteer 501(c)(3) Florida Non-profit charity that responds anywhere throughout Western Central Florida when our neighbors need assistance searching for any lost or missing individual. From Alachau, Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Levy, Marion...

09/29/2025

Please help our brothers, they were injured in a non- job related vehicle accident. They were hit from behind by a vehicle going at least 100MPH and and the driver of that vehicle might have been experiencing a medical emergency at the time of the crash so Department Insurance will not be able to cover the medical expenses or sick time away from work.

So, please help!!!

September 29, 2025: **MCFR Recruits Recovering After Motor Vehicle Collision**

On Saturday morning, September 27, 2025, two Marion County Fire Rescue Recruits were involved in a serious motor vehicle collision near the Walmart in Dunnellon. Both young men were transported to a local trauma hospital.

MCFR Recruit Daebrun Sparks is currently in the intensive care unit, being treated for several injuries: lacerated kidney and liver and several broken bones. His road to recovery will be long and painful.

Daebrun, and his fiancé America, are expecting their first child in a matter of days. His family has established an online fund raiser to assist with the rising cost of medical bills and the arrival of their child. If you are able to donate, please do.

https://www.spotfund.com/story/ca7b5531-eae0-4410-a88e-034bcf6b5edd?source=s&share_location=c&r=aHR0cHM6Ly9sLmZhY2Vib29rLmNvbS8%3D&fbclid=IwY2xjawNHpn5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE3cEZYRWluVzVGYW9GSG52AR4AY9IqRDSstqzj0dO_A9VO0INPhyUnxovXB1K9jmXhsiXH7zpAHyyGZ747UA_aem_K90MkvM25YmNszHkUY1w1w&SFID=pdhllt5sc

09/16/2025

Support Withlacoochee Regional Search & Rescue Squad, Inc.

Get Lost!! … And We’ll Bring You Home.

When someone goes missing, every second counts. That is why the Withlacoochee Regional Search and Rescue Squad, Inc. (WRSARS) — a 100% volunteer, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization — stands ready to respond across Alachua, Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Levy, Marion, Pasco, Polk, Putnam, and Sumter counties.

For more than 10 years, our volunteers have provided over $5 million worth of lifesaving services and training to the State of Florida — at no cost to the families we serve. We receive no government funding. Our ability to search, rescue, and save lives depends entirely on the generosity of people like you.

We are Powered by YOU.

Your donation will directly support the following critical needs:
• 🚨 Search Operations – keeping trained responders in the field when lives are at stake.
• 🎓 Volunteer Training – equipping our team with lifesaving skills.
• 🦺 Equipment & Gear – ensuring responders are properly outfitted for any mission.
• 🩺 Medical Supplies – providing care for victims, survivors, and team members.
• 📋 Insurance & Licenses – maintaining compliance and operational readiness.
• ⛽ Fuel & Repairs – keeping vehicles, boats, and our mobile command post operational.

How to Give
• Online (Preferred): Donate securely through Zeffy, our 100% free fundraising platform. Every dollar you give goes directly to WRSARS.
👉 Click here to give through Zeffy
• By Mail: Checks or money orders may be sent to:
Withlacoochee Regional Search & Rescue Squad, Inc.
4004 SW 168th Circle
Ocala, FL 34481
(Please write “Donation to WRSARS” in the memo line.)

Why Your Support Matters
Every mile driven, every hour of training completed, and every successful rescue is made possible by your generosity. Your gift keeps our boots on the ground, our radios powered, and our mission alive. With your support, we can continue to answer the call and bring the lost home.

⸻

Withlacoochee Regional Search & Rescue Squad, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Florida Registration . IRS EIN #33-3000532. A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services at 1-800-HELP-FLA or www.freshfromflorida.com. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the State.

Learn what’s in season, find new recipes and choose Fresh from Florida.

09/14/2025

Finally it’s here, our QR-Code

08/01/2025

🚨 Public Safety Concern: Repeated Communication Line Cuts 🚨

Yesterday, Dutchess County 911 Verizon lines were cut—just weeks before a similar incident involving AT&T lines here in Central Florida, including Marion County. These disruptions are happening far too often and across multiple jurisdictions.

This is not just an inconvenience—lives are at risk. While text-to-911 is an option in some areas, nothing replaces the speed and clarity of speaking directly with an emergency operator—especially for children, the elderly, or individuals with disabilities.

It’s time we take serious steps to better protect and secure our communication infrastructure. Every second counts in an emergency, and reliable phone service can be the difference between life and death.

Please share this message and encourage local leaders and utility companies to prioritize the protection of critical emergency lines.

#911

07/24/2025

Today we lost a true American Hero, Terry “Hulk Hogan” Bollea. To the Family and Friends of Hulk Hogan, on the behalf of the Officers and Members of Withlacoochee Regional Search and Rescue Squad, Inc., we are very sorry for your lost of your beloved Hero, we send our love, prayers and deepest condolences to you all.

God bless you all and may he rest in peace. Hulk, we have it here. You have made us all better Americans.