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:

Hamilton County
Town of Long Lake
High Peaks Wilderness
Ailing Camper: On January 1, 2016, at 7:43 a.m., DEC Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a 30-year-old woman from Centereach, NY, reporting that she required assistance.  The woman became ill while camping at Rodney Point on Long Lake.  Two DEC Forest Rangers responded by boat to the site.  They transported the woman and her gear to the boat launch at 8:35 a.m. and released her to seek medical attention on her own.

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.