Village of Lake Placid
Essex County
Skier Rescue: On March 7 at 11:05 a.m., Forest Ranger Evans heard about a cross country skier who hit a tree near the Penny Glades in Lake Placid. Fifteen minutes later, Ranger Evans reached the 67-year-old from Lake Placid, helped him to his home, and performed a medical evaluation. After noticing a large contusion on the subject’s hip and a laceration and swelling on his face, Ranger Evans called for an ambulance. Lake Placid Ambulance took the subject to the hospital at 11:47 a.m.

Hamlet of Ray Brook
Essex County
Dispatcher Training: On March 8, Forest Ranger Captain Laczko gave a seminar on New York State and western state wildland fires to DEC Dispatchers at Ray Brook Dispatch. In an effort to ensure Dispatchers send the appropriate assets and resources to a wildland fire, Captain Laczko discussed fire terminology, the three main factors for fire weather, fire tools, coordinating agencies, and fire reporting. Other topics included managing pitch pine in areas dependent on controlled burns such as the Long Island Pine Barrens and the Albany Pine Bush.

DEC is currently hiring radio dispatchers (leaves DEC website). To become part of the Ray Brook Dispatch team, apply at the State Jobs website (leaves DEC website)

Ray Brook Dispatch. NYS DEC photo.

Town of Ellenburg
Franklin County
Vehicle Accident: On March 13 at 9:20 a.m., Forest Rangers Odell and Russell responded to a call for a vehicle that had gone over a guardrail on Route 374. Rangers evaluated the 62-year-old from Plattsburgh, who was suffering from neck and back pain. Ellenburg Center Ambulance took the subject to the hospital. Resources were clear at 10 a.m.

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.