Manatee County Search & Rescue

We are saddened to hear of the passing of John “Skid” Skidmore.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, colleagues at Sunstar, and his brothers and sisters at the Motorsports Rescue Association (MSR) during this difficult time.

Skid dedicated himself to emergency services and motorsports safety, leaving an impact on so many throughout the community. His service, friendship, and commitment will not be forgotten.

Rest easy, Skid. Thank you for your service.

Today, Manatee County Search and Rescue proudly turns pink in support of everyone affected by breast cancer.

This month is about more than wearing pink. It’s about raising awareness, encouraging early detection, supporting survivors, remembering those we’ve lost, and standing beside the families fighting alongside their loved ones.

As first responders and volunteers, we know that every life matters and every call matters. This month, we’re proud to stand together and show our support.

For more than 5 years, 10-8 Systems has been a proud supporter of Manatee County Search & Rescue — and their support has made a real difference in how our organization operates.

As a 100% volunteer public safety organization, we have to make the most of every resource we have. 10-8 Systems has helped us bring technology and organization to the way we manage our missions, personnel, and responses.

With 10-8 Systems, we have the ability to:

📍 Track incidents and units in real time
📱 Give our responders access to critical information in the field
⏱️ Maintain accurate timelines of our responses
📝 Reduce manual paperwork and duplicate data entry
👥 Improve accountability and situational awareness
🤝 Better coordinate with the agencies we work alongside
📊 Capture information that helps us evaluate and improve our operations

For MCSAR, this isn't just about software. It's about giving volunteers the tools to operate like the professional public safety organization we strive to be.

When the call comes in, our volunteers leave their homes, families, and jobs to answer it. Having the right technology behind them helps us turn that commitment into an organized, coordinated response.

We are incredibly grateful to 10-8 Systems for standing behind our mission for more than five years and investing in the volunteers who serve Manatee County.

Thank you, 10-8 Systems, for being part of the MCSAR family.


10-8 Systems

Our marine program is about more than having a boat. It’s about having trained people, capable equipment, and the confidence to operate when the call comes.

Our team includes members credentialed as Boat Operator Search and Rescue (BOSAR) personnel, and we continually train to maintain and improve those skills.

And we do it as volunteers. Our members give their time, training, and expertise to serve our community—often after working their regular jobs and responsibilities.

Our training doesn’t stop when the sun goes down. We routinely operate into the late-night and early-morning hours, building experience and confidence in the unique challenges of nighttime marine operations.

Because when someone needs help, there may not be daylight, calm conditions, or perfect circumstances.

We train for the conditions we may actually face.

🚤 OUR INMAR 600R-DR

Our 20' 2" INMAR 600R-DR rigid-hull inflatable is built with rescue operations in mind. It features an 8' 6" beam, 22" Hypalon tubes with six independent air chambers, capacity for up to 10 people, and a maximum 150 HP motor rating. The fiberglass deep-V hull and inflatable collar provide a combination of stability, maneuverability, and buoyancy for marine response operations.

Built for the places—and conditions—where the mission takes us. 🚤


Inmar Boats

We are excited to be joining the Bradenton Police Department’s National Night Out Block Party! 👮‍♂️🚓

Come out and meet your local public safety teams, check out the trucks and equipment, meet some of the people who volunteer their time to serve our community—and maybe say hello to one of our four-legged SAR team members! 🐕‍🦺🧡

🎉 FREE family-friendly event
🚒 Giant Touch-a-Truck
🍔 Food
👨‍👩‍👧 Kids’ activities
👮 Police demonstrations
…and plenty more!

📅 Tuesday, October 6th
⏰ 5:00–8:00 PM
📍 100 10th St. W., Bradenton
🅿️ Free parking available in the garage at 10th St. & 3rd Ave.

Bring the family, bring the kids, and come say hi to your Manatee County Search & Rescue team! 🧡🖤

We’ll see you there! 👋

Some calls last 30 minutes.
Some last several hours.
Some take us through the woods, neighborhoods, waterways, and places most people never see.

And sometimes, we get canceled while we're still en route.

But no matter how the call ends, there’s one thing that never changes:

Someone’s missing family member made it home.

That’s the part that matters.

We train. We prepare. We respond. We search. We stand by.

Because behind every search call is a family waiting, hoping, and praying for someone they love to walk back through the door.

When that happens, the mission is complete.

No matter how long it takes. No matter how far we have to go.

That’s why we’re here.


10-8 Systems

🍂 Happy First Day of Fall! 🍂

Today marks the astronomical beginning of fall — the Autumnal Equinox. Day and night are nearly equal as we officially welcome a new season.

For many of us in Florida, that may not mean cooler temperatures just yet… but we’ll take what we can get! 😂🌴

Fall brings cooler days, changing weather, more time outdoors, and plenty of opportunities to explore. Whether you’re hiking, boating, hunting, camping, or simply enjoying everything Manatee County has to offer, take a moment to plan ahead, know your surroundings, and be prepared.

At Manatee County Search & Rescue, the mission doesn’t change with the seasons.

365 days a year. Ready when you need us most.

🍁 Welcome, Fall!

🎃👻 SHERIFF’S SPOOKTACTICAL IS BACK! 👻🎃

Manatee County Search and Rescue is proud to be joining the Manatee County Sheriff's Office for an evening of family fun, first responders, and a little Halloween mischief!

📅 Thursday, October 22, 2026
⏰ 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
📍 MCSO Operations Center
600 301 Blvd. W., Bradenton

Come out and visit MCSAR at our station! We'll have our team, equipment, vehicles, and K9s on display, and we'll be talking about what we do and how we're ready to respond when our community needs us most.

🚔 Emergency vehicles & equipment
🐕 K9 demonstrations
🎃 Kids' activities
🍬 Trick-or-treating at each unit's station
🌭 Free hot dogs, chips & water while supplies last
🚚 Food trucks with additional food available for purchase

And the best part? It's FREE and open to the public!

Bring the kids, bring your friends, grab some candy, and come meet the people behind the uniforms who serve our community.

We’ll see you there! 🧡🖤

https://facebook.com/events/s/manatee-sheriffs-spooktactical/2521593874988878/

Manatee County Search and Rescue
100% Volunteer • Ready When You Need Us Most
…So That Others May Live