Weber County Search and Rescue, an extension of Weber County Sheriff's Office, receives 20 to 30 distress calls annually. Dedicated WCSR volunteers respond to the calls in all kinds of weather and seasons, from stranded or injured climbers or hikers, missing children, hunters, snowmobilers, skiers, drowning victims, or downed aircraft. WCSAR operates on a small budget funded by Weber County but relies primarily on generously donated funds.

“Weber County Search and Rescue’s drone team has been using their own personal drone equipment, which has been very helpful in our lifesaving work, but we need to up our game with a drone dedicated to our operation. This new drone will expand our capabilities with greater reach and camera-resolution to save more lives. The DJI M300 drone has increased thermal imaging and a longer flight time that are essential in finding, assessing and taking care of people in need in a timely way. Every second counts in saving lives.” – Lt. Mark Horton, Weber County Search and Rescue

Bank of Utah is proud to have supported Weber County Search and Rescue (WCSAR) in the purchase of a new high-tech drone. Starting on July 17, 2020, Bank of Utah and WCSAR launched a month-long “Reaching New Heights” campaign to generate $30,000 to buy a DJI Matrice 300 RTK Drone.

To kick off the fundraiser, Bank of Utah presented a $1,000 check to Lt. Mark Horton, director of search and rescue for the Weber County Sheriff’s Office. Bank of Utah further supported the campaign with billboard advertisements, internal signage, an email campaign and social media.

By the end of the "Reaching New Heights" fundraiser, WCSAR had raised half the funds needed for the drone. As of October 16, 2020--three months since the start of the fundraiser, WCSAR had successfully raised all the funds needed. The new DJI M300 has it's first mission Friday October 23rd, 2020.

“We are so excited and could not have done it without you and your team.” – Lt. Mark Horton, Weber County Search and Rescue


Read More About The Fudraiser Press Event:
https://www.standard.net/police-fire/weber-county-search-and-rescue-team-seeks-30k-drone-to-aid-in-rescue-efforts/article_b2ca2347-43c5-5dbf-97d3-c7d7fdeb5e72.html?fbclid=IwAR2HSc6CVkM0o3XKMQ8yAIYtY_gZGf_eHv0h3LwDdbGGjzE3lXaXOuje4k8