Sheridan Area Search and Rescue: Volunteers Saving Lives, Fueled by Community Support
Mark Caudle- May 7
- 3 min read
In the rugged expanse of Sheridan County, Wyoming, where the Bighorn Mountains rise and unpredictable weather can turn a hike into a life-or-death ordeal, the Sheridan Area Search and Rescue (SASAR) team stands ready. This all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization is a lifeline for lost hikers, injured climbers, stranded snowmobilers, and others in need, operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Recently, I had the privilege of sitting down with Clay Morris, a dedicated SASAR volunteer and Captain of the Technical Rescue Team, for a podcast interview that shed light on the heart, grit, and financial challenges behind this vital organization.
Here is the Interview:
Clay Morris: From Air Force to Sheridan’s Frontlines
Clay’s journey to SASAR is a testament to the kind of commitment that defines the team. A U.S. Air Force veteran, Clay served in an Aerial Combat Search and Rescue unit, undertaking high-stakes missions across multiple deployments. After retiring in 2018, he brought his expertise to Sheridan, joining SASAR to continue serving his community. As Technical Rescue Team Captain, Clay leads efforts to recover people in perilous situations, think cliffside falls, raging waters, or cave entrapments. His story reflects the caliber of SASAR’s volunteers: skilled, selfless, and ready to risk their lives to bring loved ones home.
What It Takes to Be a SASAR Volunteer
Becoming a SASAR volunteer isn’t for the faint of heart. Clay explained that the team is a diverse group with varied skills, from technical rescue to medical expertise. Volunteers undergo rigorous training to handle everything from navigating treacherous terrain to performing high-angle rope rescues in ice and snow. Beyond physical and technical prowess, the role demands mental fortitude and a willingness to drop everything day or night, rain or shine, when a call comes in. In 2023 alone, SASAR’s 38 volunteers logged 960 hours across 17 missions, not to mention supporting community events like the Bighorn Trail Run.
Yet, for all their dedication, these volunteers receive no paycheck. They often supply their own gear, from backpacks to specialized rescue equipment, and rely on their training and camaraderie to get the job done. It’s a labor of love, driven by a shared mission to save lives.
The Funding Challenge: A Community Lifeline
While SASAR’s volunteers give their time and skills freely, the organization itself faces a critical challenge: funding. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, SASAR operates with limited government support, relying heavily on donations from individuals and community partners to keep the lights on or, more accurately, to keep the radios crackling and the rescue gear ready. From maintaining vehicles and equipment to funding training programs, every dollar counts.
Clay was candid about the financial realities. Unlike larger emergency services, SASAR doesn’t have a steady stream of tax dollars. Instead, it depends on the generosity of people who recognize the team’s vital role in Sheridan County. Donations fund everything from ropes and harnesses for technical rescues to fuel for search missions across vast wilderness areas. Without this support, SASAR’s ability to respond swiftly and effectively could be compromised.
Why Your Donation Matters
Sheridan Area Search and Rescue isn’t just a team—it’s a promise to the community. When a hiker doesn’t return, a climber falls, or a hunter misses a rendezvous, SASAR volunteers answer the call, no matter the hour or the weather. But they can’t do it alone. Your donation, whether it’s $10 or $100, directly supports their life-saving work. It ensures they have the tools, training, and resources to bring people home safely.
How You Can Help
If you’ve ever hiked the Bighorns, skied its slopes, or simply marveled at its beauty, you know how quickly the wilderness can turn unforgiving. Sheridan Area Search and Rescue is there when it does, and they need our support to stay ready. Visit sheridanareasearchandrescue.org to learn more about their work, explore volunteer opportunities, or make a tax-deductible donation. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps ensure SASAR can keep answering the call.
Let’s rally behind this incredible team of volunteers. Together, we can keep Sheridan Area Search and Rescue strong, ready to bring hope and people home.
To donate or get involved, head to sheridanareasearchandrescue.org. Check the website or follow SASAR on Facebook.
