DEC Contact: Jeff Wernick (518) 402-8000 January 18, 2023
|
|
DEC FOREST RANGERS – WEEK IN REVIEWRecent Statewide Forest Ranger Actions |
|
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." Town of Wheeler Flat ice rescue training in Steuben County (two photos attached) Warren County Water Rescue: On Jan. 10 at 10:15 a.m., Forest Rangers overheard radio traffic about an ice rescue on Glen Lake in Queensbury. Rangers Donegan, Kabrehl, and Quinn responded along with multiple fire departments, including Bay Ridge, Bolton, Lake George, North Queensbury, and Queensbury. Rangers helped get the 74-year-old from Queensbury out of the water to a waiting ambulance. The subject was taken to Glens Falls hospital. If he were not wearing a personal floatation device, the outcome may have been much different. Resources were clear at 11:28 a.m. Long Lake rescue (photo attached) Village of Red Hook Vehicle found in Tivoli Bays (photo attached) Vehicle being towed from Tivoli Bays (photo attached) Village of Pomona Fire suppression training in Rockland County (photo attached) City of Kingston Hamlet of Valhalla DEC leads fire suppression training in Westchester County (two photos attahed) St. Lawrence County Flat Ice Rescue Training: On Jan.12, Forest Rangers conducted flat ice rescue training at DEC's Cranberry Lake Complex in St. Lawrence County. Participants, including nine recent Academy graduates, completed classroom and field training. Classroom instruction included pre-planning, response, and coordination of flat ice rescue incidents. The field portion of the training highlighted self-rescue techniques, along with reach, throw, and go responses. The DEC Region 6 airboat was deployed to provide operators and crew with additional training to deliver personnel to the scene and safely transition victims from the water to the deck of the airboat. Flat ice rescue training in St. Lawrence County (three photos attached) Ulster County Wilderness Rescue: On Jan. 15 at 12:05 p.m., Ulster County 911 requested Forest Ranger assistance with the rescue of a hiker with a lower leg injury at Giant Ledge in the Slide Mountain Wilderness Area. Rangers Franke, Quinones, Schweider, and Stratton reached the 70-year-old and splinted her lower leg. Rangers then packaged the hiker from Pennsylvania into a litter. Big Indian, Claryville, and Pine Hill fire departments assisted with the half-mile carry out. At approximately 4:30 p.m., the hiker was taken to the hospital by Shandaken EMS. During the incident, Rangers Franke and Schweider were rerouted to respond to another injured hiker from the same hiking party, but closer to the trailhead. The 71-year-old suffered a head injury from a fall and was airlifted to the hospital. Trail conditions were icy and Rangers needed microspikes during the rescues. Hikers are reminded to be prepared for winter conditions. Tips on how to pack and prepare for a winter hike are available on DEC’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/NYSDEC/videos/605154034945922 Village of Lake Placid Rangers Praczkajlo and O'Connor at World University Games in Lake Placid (photo attached) Rangers Evans and Lewis with the New York State Police at the World University Games in Lake Placid (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: https://www.dec.ny.gov/about/667.html |
|
###
|