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 Wells
Siamese Pond Wilderness
Injured hiker: On June 11, 2016 at 12:00 p.m., DEC Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office reporting a 67-year-old man from Toms River, NJ with a lower-leg injury on Auger Falls Trail. DEC Forest Rangers responded to find Fulton County EMS already on scene assisting the injured man. Forest Rangers assessed the injury and packaged the man for a carry-out. From the trailhead an ambulance transported him to a local hospital for additional medical treatment.  The incident concluded at 1:40 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.