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 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 Keene
Hurricane Mountain Wilderness
Lost hikers: On September 26 at 3:44 p.m., DEC Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from The Rooster Comb Inn reporting that a 65-year-old male from Milton, DE had contacted them and stated he and his companion were lost between Big and Little Crow Mountains. DEC Dispatch was able to make cell phone contact with the man and obtained GPS coordinates from Essex County 911. DEC Forest Rangers responded and were able to locate the men off trail near Jones Brook. They were escorted down Leslie Gay Lane back to the trailhead. The incident concluded at 6:15 p.m.
Town of Keene
High Peaks Wilderness
Lost hiker: On October 1 at 7:05 p.m., DEC Ray Brook Dispatch received a transferred call from Essex County 911 from a 73-year-old male from Dixson, TN who was lost on Blueberry Mountain along with his two hiking companions, a 35-year-old male and a 27-year-old female, both from Montreal, QC. The group had lost the trail while descending due to darkness. They did not have flashlights or headlamps. A DEC Forest Ranger responded and located the party at 8:04 p.m. and escorted them out to the trailhead. The incident concluded at 8:15 p.m.
Warren County
Siamese Ponds Wilderness
Town of Johnsburg
Distressed hiker: On September 27 at 2:47 p.m., DEC Ray Brook Dispatch received a request for assistance from Essex County 911 for a 24-year-old male in medical distress near 13th Lake. DEC Forest Rangers responded via boat and located the man. He was transported to shore to an awaiting Johnsburg EMS ambulance, where he was evaluated and released. The incident concluded at 5:30 p.m.
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 Backcountry Information (http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7865.html) webpage for more information.
