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 2024, DEC Forest Rangers conducted 362 search and rescue missions, extinguished 122 wildfires covering nearly 6,500 acres, participated in 60 prescribed fires that served to rejuvenate more than 1,155 acres of land, and worked on cases that resulted in more than 1,200 tickets and arrests.   

“From wildfires, to floods, to search and rescue operations, whenever emergencies strike, DEC’s Forest Rangers are always the first to jump into action,” DEC Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said. “I commend our Rangers for their heroic work to keep New Yorkers and our visitors safe in some of the most adverse conditions in the world, and for leading the state’s response to emergency situations. Their efforts to inspire the next generation of safe and responsible outdoor enthusiasts are instrumental in DEC’s efforts to support the outdoor recreation economy, and I encourage all New Yorkers interested in joining our ranks to visit DEC’s website to learn how to become the next New York State Forest Ranger and be part of their historic legacy of protecting New York’s forests.” 

Town of Carmel 

Putnam County 

Public Outreach: On Jan. 30, Forest Rangers Pries and Russo attended Law Enforcement Night at the Putnam County Historic Courthouse. The Putnam County Youth Bureau hosted the event. Rangers talked to high school students about what it takes to become a Forest Ranger. Other participating agencies included the Carmel Police, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, U.S. Secret Service, and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Law Enforcement Night (photo attached)

Village of Sherburne  

Chenango County  

Public Outreach: On Feb. 1, Forest Ranger Lieutenant Lunt and Ranger Oldroyd demonstrated self ice rescue, air boat use, and hypothermia safety at DEC’s Rogers Environmental Education Center at the 47^th annual Winter Living Celebration. Rangers explained multiple ways to stay safe around the ice and what to do in the event someone falls through. 

Self ice-rescue demonstration (photo attached)

Airboat demonstration (photo attached)

Town of Harrietstown 

Franklin County 

Snowmobile Accident: On Feb. 1 at 2:20 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch called Forest Ranger Adams about a snowmobile accident near McCauley Pond. Ranger Adams was on snowmobile patrol and reached the scene with Ranger O’Connor at 2:45 p.m. Saranac Lake Rescue and Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department were assisting the 39-year-old subject from New Jersey. Rangers Lewis and Praczkajlo helped package the patient in a litter and joined rescuers in transporting him to the trail and a staged UTV. An ambulance met the UTV for transport to a Life Net helicopter at Lake Clear Airport, which took the subject to the hospital. New York State Police (NYSP) alerted rescuers that the patient died from his injuries. Resources were clear at 4:41 p.m. Judging by the tracks, NYSP and Rangers determined the snowmobiler lost control around a left turn and crashed into several trees.  

Town of Lake Pleasant 

Hamilton County 

Wilderness Recovery: On Jan. 2 at 12:40 p.m., the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Dispatch requested Forest Ranger assistance in the search for a missing subject. The family of the 44-year-old from Rotterdam was concerned for his well-being. New York State Police found the subject’s car on NY 30 just west of Jessup Bridge. Rangers Caswell, Hamm, and O’Connell, along with Sheriff’s Deputies, followed footprints from the car and at 3:15 p.m., located the subject deceased in the Jessup River Wild Forest. They transported the subject to the coroner. 

Town of Albion 

Oswego County 

River Rescue: On Feb. 3 at 11:35 a.m., Oswego County 911 requested Forest Ranger assistance with a subject in a small boat, stuck between two rocks on the Salmon River. At 12:10 p.m., Ranger Vaile arrived and threw a line to the subject. The boat was partly submerged with the subject standing on it. Rangers worked with local firefighters to escort the subject to shore where he was warmed in an ambulance. Firefighters used a guide boat to get the boat free and pulled to shore. Resources were clear at 2:20 p.m. 

Boat stuck on Salmon River (two photos attached)

Town of South Bristol 

Ontario County 

Car Accident: On Feb. 3 at 12:05 p.m., Forest Ranger Dormer responded to a car accident in which a car was driven over an embankment and slid down a steep hill, stopping approximately 70 feet from the roadway. Canandaigua Advanced Life Support secured the subject in a litter. Due to the slick conditions and unsure footing, a rope rescue was the most effective way to pull the subject to safety. Rangers Dormer and Raffaldi-Smith secured the litter while Ranger Cordell worked on the haul line from the road. Rangers worked with the Ontario County High Angle Team and the Ontario County Sheriff’s Department to pull the patient to the roadway where they were met by an ambulance.  

South Bristol car accident (photo attached)

South Bristol car accident rescue (two photos attached)

New York State 

Job Opportunity: In 2025, DEC hopes to employ approximately 22 Assistant Forest Rangers in various capacities across the state. A typical season runs from mid-May through early September or mid-October, depending on the DEC region and need. Assistant Forest Rangers play a vital role protecting, preserving, and enhancing natural resources on State lands, as well as maintaining public safety. For more information, including minimum qualification and how to apply, visit https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/public-safety/forest-rangers/assistant-forest-rangers?fbclid=IwY2xjawIPDBRleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHTAOq-WAhZNvftS0o3iesA-sRSVQP2u-IESAz7cCKUPMlAJXTuytrfAvFw_aem_0Bktc9LpMDhO9CRw0NdjQw 

Assistant Forest Rangers (two photos 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