Withlacoochee Regional Search & Rescue Squad

01/11/2026

Members of WRSARS please scan and sign up!

01/01/2026

12/17/2025

Tonight, our Deputy Chief/Vice President/Co-founder and Captain of Ocala Fire Rescue, Joe Talley, and our friend Florida Highway Patrol Auxiliary Trooper Lieutenant Michael D. Reilly, also known as Doc Trooper, alongside other members of Ocala Fire Rescue Station 4 B Shift Members, an Ocala Police Officer, and members of an Ocala City Utility Crew, all received a Life Saving Award from HCA Hospital of Ocala and the Mayor's Coin of the City of Ocala. Congratulations to all of them.

11/27/2025

Message from the Chief of Withlacoochee Regional Search and Rescue Squad, Inc. “Happy Thanksgiving from my family to you and your families. Stay Safe, Stay Warm, and practice fire safety as well!”

11/19/2025

On Friday November 14th, Chief Matychak along with his wife and his son traveled to Bradford/Hartford Connecticut to pick up a 2010 Chevy 4500 Duramax Ambulance donated by Best Friend s for Life Animal Rescue, President Anthony Bagliore. We will converting this Ambulance into a Mobile Field Command Post. We will post plenty of before and after pictures of the project.

11/10/2025

On the behalf of the Officers and Members of Withlacoocheee Regional Search and Rescue Squad, Inc., Happy 250th Birthday to all you Devil Dogs

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.