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 2023, DEC Forest Rangers conducted 370 search and rescue missions, extinguished 146 wildfires covering nearly 1,400 acres, participated in 52 prescribed fires that served to rejuvenate more than 1,000 acres of land, and worked on cases that resulted in hundreds of tickets and arrests.  

“DEC Forest Rangers are among the nation’s most versatile first responders, utilizing their expert training and wide-ranging knowledge to protect natural resources while encouraging responsible stewardship among those who visit State lands and sites,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “Their expertise in wildland fire suppression, technical rescue techniques, and law enforcement mean that Rangers are always prepared to successfully execute critical missions, here in New York State, as well as across the continent.” 

Town of Ward 

Allegany County 

Public Outreach: On Jan. 1, IMPACT: Friends Improving Allegany County Trails, Inc., organized a First Day Hike in Phillips Creek State Forest. IMPACT provides volunteer maintenance and helps secures grant funding for trails in Allegany County, especially on DEC State Forest lands. The 80 participants chose different hiking distances and Forest Ranger Thaine helped lead the group who picked the long-distance hike. For more information visit www.impactfriendsgroup.org.  

Ranger Thaine at Phillips Creek State Forest First Day Hike (two photos attached)

Town of Colesville 

Broome County 

Law Enforcement: On Jan. 6, Forest Ranger Oldroyd issued seven tickets to ATV operators at Beaver Flow State Forest for illegal use of ATVs on State land. Motorized vehicles are permitted only on access roads posted as open to motor vehicles. Off-road use of motorized vehicles is prohibited, except where specifically permitted by signs, posted notice, or DEC permit. 

Illegal ATV use at Beaver Flow State Forest (photo attached)

Town of Burlington 

Otsego County 

Water Rescue/Recovery: On Jan. 6 at 2:45 p.m., a subject walking his dog called 911 after seeing two ice fishermen fall through the ice on Basswood Pond. Forest Ranger Laymon was at the Jacobs Road trailhead one minute away from the pond. Ranger Laymon saw one of the men treading water, but lost sight of the other. The ice was approximately one-inch thick, unsafe for fishing. The Ranger entered the ice, crawled toward the 42-year-old from Richfield Springs, and used a throw bag to help the subject out of the water. The subject grabbed the rope and Ranger Layman pulled him onto a sled. At 2:55 p.m., the Ranger pulled the sled to shore where he was met by members of the Edmeston Fire Department, who used their truck to start the drying and warming process to help the subject suffering from hypothermia. Ranger Laymon headed back to the ice to search for the second man, the first subject’s brother. At 3:05 p.m., Ranger Laymon located the 41-year-old from Richfield Springs in seven to eight feet of water. New York State Police, Otsego County Emergency Services, and Edmeston, Fly Creek, Schuyler Lake, and West Edmeston volunteer fire departments helped pull Ranger Laymon and the submerged man out of the water and onto shore. At 3:23 p.m., the subject was transferred to EMTs who began CPR. Both subjects were taken to the hospital. The first was treated and released. The second subject was declared deceased by the hospital later that night. 

Ranger Nate Laymon describes the rescue in video available to download: 

https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/fs/programs/press/ForestRangers/Basswood%20Pond%20Rescue/ 

Video of the rescue effort is available to download: 

https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/fs/programs/press/ForestRangers/Basswood%20Pond%20Rescue/BasswoodPondDrone1.mp4 

Information about ice safety is available at https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/ice-fishing 

Ranger Laymon during an ice rescue in Basswood Pond (photo attached)

Thin ice at Basswood Pond (photo attached)

Hamlet of Schuyler Lake 

Otsego County 

Motor Vehicle Accident: On Jan. 6 at 7:19 p.m., while returning to headquarters after an ice rescue on Basswood Pond, Forest Rangers France and Laymon came upon a car that was upside down and leaning on a guardrail on County Route 22. An off-duty firefighter was attempting to make contact with the driver. Ranger France opened the door and found the 61-year-old from Richfield Springs trying to unbuckle herself. Rangers helped extricate the subject and took her to their patrol vehicle. The subject had no signs of injury. Schuyler Lake Fire Department and Richfield Springs EMS assisted with traffic control. New York State Police conducted an accident report. Rangers were clear of the scene at 8:10 p.m. 

Rangers pull driver from an overturned car (photo attached)

Town of Keene 

Essex County 

Wilderness Rescue: On Jan. 9 at 9:20 a.m., Ray Brook Dispatch assigned seven Forest Rangers to respond to a call for a seriously injured ice climber at the Pitchoff Mountain ice climbing area off Route 73. At 10:15 a.m., Rangers, along with Keene and Keene Valley fire departments, reached the 36-year-old, set up a low-angle rope rescue system, and lowered the subject several hundred feet to an ambulance waiting on Route 73. At 10:28 a.m., the patient was flown to the hospital by a LifeNet helicopter.

Video of the rescue effort is available to download: 

https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/fs/programs/press/ForestRangers/Pitchoff%20Mountain%20Rescue%20100720.MOV

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