Matzil Wilderness Unit Completes Overnight Test, Certifies 9 New Responders

On Motzei Shabbos, Matzil’s Wilderness Unit conducted its annual overnight Wilderness Responder test under heavy fog and wet conditions — a demanding 12-hour exercise designed to prepare responders for real-world search and rescue operations.

The overnight serves as the culmination of six months of intensive training. Participants were put through a timed hike, shelter-in-place scenarios, written testing, and hands-on field evaluations across difficult terrain. Veteran members also took part to refresh critical rescue skills.

All nine candidates successfully completed the overnight and are now certified Wilderness Responders. With this new class, Matzil now has more than 65 nationally certified Search and Rescue (SAR) Technicians across its Wilderness, Water, and Mountain Rescue units — making it one of the region’s largest volunteer rescue organizations.