DEC Contact: Lori Severino November 23, 2021
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DEC STATEWIDE FOREST RANGER HIGHLIGHTSRecent Forest Ranger Actions |
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New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents statewide. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations, and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate and extract lost, injured, or distressed people from across New York State.
In 2020, DEC Forest Rangers conducted 492 search and rescue missions, extinguished 192 wildfires that burned a total of more than 1,122 acres, participated in eight prescribed fires that served to rejuvenate more than 203 acres, and worked on cases that resulted in 3,131 tickets or arrests.
"During New York’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, more people are enjoying the outdoors than ever before and our Forest Rangers are on the front lines to help people get outside responsibly and get home safely," said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. "Rangers’ knowledge of first aid, land navigation, and technical rescue techniques are critical to the success of their missions, which for more than a century have taken them from remote wilderness areas with rugged mountain peaks, to white water rivers, and throughout our vast forests statewide.”
Town of Norway Herkimer County Wilderness Search: On Nov. 16 at 3:23 p.m., Central Dispatch received a call from Herkimer County 911 regarding an overdue hunter last seen at Stanley Road and Black Creek Road in the town of Norway. Rangers Bills and Piersma responded, along with a friend of the hunter. Rangers made voice contact and found the 45-year-old hunter from Herkimer at 5:19 p.m. The subject was in good condition, but cold and wet. Rangers walked the hunter out of the woods and he declined further medical attention.
Town of Philipstown Putnam County Wilderness Search: On Nov. 17 at 4 p.m., Forest Ranger Pries was notified about an injured hiker off the Wilkinson Trail in Breakneck Ridge. Rangers Cowart, Jahn, and Pries responded. At 5:45 p.m., Ranger Pries reached the 54-year-old hiker from New Jersey, who suffered an ankle injury. Rangers carried the hiker out on a litter and EMS checked the subject’s injury at 6:30 p.m. All resources were clear at 7:30 p.m.
Belleayre Mountain Ulster County Rescue Training: On Nov. 18, Forest Rangers trained with Belleayre Mountain Ski Patrol to become more proficient with the gondola rescue system. In addition, the training served as a useful platform to foster relationships with regional search and rescue experts with a variety of backgrounds, including arborists, fire department members, ski patrol, outdoor guides, and community members with search and rescue experience. In the event that the Belleayre gondola lift stops functioning, this group of rescuers will respond to get everyone riding the lift safely to the ground. This requires either climbing a support tower and being lowered to each car via the lift cable, or ascending a fixed line at each gondola car. Once a car is reached, everyone inside is put into a harness and lowered to the ground one at a time.
Town of Windham Greene County
Town of Hunter Greene County
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