New York State Department of Environmental Conservation 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 the backcountry.

“Across New York, DEC’s Forest Rangers’ are on the front lines helping people safely enjoy the great outdoors,” said Acting DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “Their knowledge of first aid, land navigation and technical rescue techniques are critical to the success of their missions which take them from remote wilderness areas, with rugged mountainous peaks to white-water rivers, and throughout our vast forested areas statewide.”

Recent missions carried out by DEC Forest Rangers include:

Essex County
Town of North Elba
High Peaks Wilderness
Distressed Hiker: On December 21, 2015 at 3:15 p.m., the hiking companion of a 22-year-old woman from Rochester, NY, contacted DEC Ray Brook Dispatch reporting the woman was in medical distress near the summit of Algonquin.  Four DEC Forest Rangers responded due to the remote location and icy conditions.  Additional responding Rangers also set up staging equipment at the Adirondack Loj.  Both hikers decided to start walking out after eating and resting.  They met one Forest Ranger at McIntyre Falls at 5:30 p.m.  The Ranger provided the woman with water and hiking poles to assist with stability on the ice and escorted them out to the Loj at 7:35 p.m.  The pair declined additional medical treatment.

Be sure to properly prepare and plan before entering the backcountry. Visit DEC’s Hiking Safety (http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/28708.html) and Adirondack Trail Information (http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7865.html) webpage for more information.