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 2022, DEC Forest Rangers conducted 359 search and rescue missions, extinguished 162 wildfires covering more than 1,300 acres, participated in 53 prescribed fires that served to rejuvenate nearly 900 acres of land, and worked on cases that resulted in hundreds of tickets and arrests.
“With more people visiting State lands and enjoying New York's myriad, world-class outdoor recreational opportunities, DEC’s Forest Rangers are on the front lines to help visitors get outside responsibly and get home safely,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “Each day, these highly trained first responders are protecting irreplaceable natural resources and utilizing their expert knowledge of wildland fire suppression, wilderness first aid, land navigation, law enforcement, and technical rescue techniques to successfully execute critical missions for DEC and our countless local, state, and national partners.”
Village of Victor
Ontario County
Public Outreach: On Sept. 16, Forest Ranger Lieutenant Wickens and Ranger Miller participated in the “Climb Aboard” event in Victor. The free community event featured more than 50 large vehicles including fire trucks, construction equipment, school buses, a helicopter, and military vehicles. Rangers brought a Type 4 Fire Engine for children to explore. Ranger Miller also spoke to children about fire safety.
Ranger Miller at Climb Aboard (photo attached)
Town of Keene
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Sept. 20 at 2:35 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch alerted Forest Rangers to a hiker with an unstable leg injury on Mount Marcy. The 53-year-old from New Jersey was approximately half a mile from the summit, just below the tree line. New York State Police (NYSP) Aviation was called to assist. With Ranger Baldwin as the crew chief, NYSP Pilot Beck flew Ranger Corey to the scene. Ranger Baldwin lowered Ranger Corey to the patient. At 3:20 p.m., after Ranger Corey placed the hiker in a harness, Ranger Baldwin hoisted her into the helicopter. Ranger Corey hiked out with the subject’s hiking partner and reached the trailhead at 6:44 p.m.
Marcy hoist rescue (photo attached)
Town of Northampton
Fulton County
Public Outreach: On Sept. 21, Forest Ranger Lieutenant Kerr and Rangers Hamm, Nally, and Thompson spoke to children about the duties and responsibilities of Forest Rangers. The children visited three interactive stations at DEC’s Northampton Beach Campground. Ranger Thompson showed off the Ranger airboat and the equipment used in search and rescue operations. Ranger Nally focused on wildfires, displayed different hand tools, and then let the children spray water pumps Rangers deploy during wildland fire suppression efforts. Ranger Hamm spoke about the Rangers’ role as law enforcement officers and how to protect and preserve the environment for future generations.
Ranger Nally shows children how to use water pump (photo attached)
Ranger Thompson with Ranger airboat (photo attached)
Ranger Hamm discusses law enforcement (photo attached)
Town of Persia
Cattaraugus County
Training: On Sept. 21 and 22, Forest Rangers from regions eight and nine participated in annual rope rescue training. Rangers refreshed their skills in rappelling and single victim rescue. The training took place at Zoar Valley, where several injuries and rescues occur each year.
Rope rescue training (three photos attached)
Hamlet of Delmar
Albany County
Public Outreach: On Sept 23, Forest Ranger Mitchell joined Smokey Bear at the 41st Annual Fall Festival at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center. The event featured 25 interactive exhibits. Ranger Mitchell discussed fire safety and his job as a Forest Ranger.
Ranger Mitchell and Smokey Bear at Five Rivers Fall Festival (photo attached)
Town of Shawangunk
Ulster County
Public Outreach: On Sept. 23, Forest Rangers Horn and Russo participated in the Wallkill Community Day Touch-A-Truck event at the Shawangunk Police Department. Rangers gave demonstrations of their patrol vehicles and all the equipment needed to perform their duties. They also taught children about wildfire safety and the concept of Leave No TraceTM.
Ranger Russo at Touch-A-Truck event (photo attached)
Town of Milan
Dutchess County
Public Outreach: On Sept. 23, Forest Ranger Russo joined Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) Wamsley and Wilson at the Federation of Dutchess County Fish and Game Club’s Junior Pheasant Hunt. Approximately 37 youth hunters took part in the event at Lafayetteville Multiple Use Area. Federation members joined the youth hunters to help ensure a successful and safe weekend.
Youth pheasant hunt (photo attached)
Town of Inlet
Hamilton County
Wilderness Search: On Sept. 23 at 7:23 p.m., Forest Rangers Miller, Piersma, and Scott joined the Inlet and Webb Police Departments in the search for an overdue hiker. The 53-year-old from Marion was hiking to Cascade Lake. His wife reported him overdue. Crews searched the trails at Cascade Lake, Chain Pond, and Windfall Pond. At 10:30 p.m., Ranger Scott located the subject off trail of the Windfall Pond trail. The hiker was in good health. Once back at the trailhead, the hiker was reunited with his wife and was evaluated by Inlet EMS. Resources were clear at 12:09 a.m.
Town of North Hudson
Essex County
Wilderness Search: On Sept. 23 at 9:41 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call about a locator beacon activated on the Slide Brook Herd Path near Macomb Mountain. Forest Rangers Foutch and Sabo responded and at 12:41 a.m., reached the 50-year-old from Pennsylvania. Rangers warmed the subject and helped him back to the trailhead. Resources were clear at 3:47 a.m.
Town of North Elba
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Sept. 24 at 1:27 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch alerted Forest Rangers about a call for an injured hiker on Mount Jo. Eight Rangers responded to help the 62-year-old from Niagara Falls. Rangers stabilized the hiker’s ankle injury and carried her out using a wheeled litter. Rangers reached the Adirondak Loj where a Lake Placid ambulance was waiting. Resources were clear at 3:50 p.m.
Mount Jo rescue (photo attached)
Be sure to properly prepare and plan before entering the backcountry. Visit DEC's Hike Smart NY, Adirondack Backcountry Information, and Catskill Backcountry Information webpages for more information.
If a person needs a Forest Ranger, whether it's for a search and rescue, to report a wildfire, or to report illegal activity on state lands and easements, they should call 833-NYS-RANGERS. If a person needs urgent assistance, they can call 911. To contact a Forest Ranger for information about a specific location, the DEC website has phone numbers for every Ranger listed by region: http://on.ny.gov/NYSForestRangerRoster
