New York State Forest Rangers Explained

Agencyname:New York State Forest Rangers
Abbreviation:NYS Forest Rangers
Patch:NYS Forest Ranger Patch.jpg
Logocaption:Logo of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Flag:Flag of New York.svg
Flagcaption:Flag of the State of New York
Country:United States
Divtype:State
Divname:New York
Sizepopulation:19,297,729
Legaljuris:New York
Police:Yes
Speciality1:envher
Sworntype:Forest Ranger
Sworn:134
Chief1name:John Solan
Chief1position:Director
Website:Official Site

The New York State Forest Rangers (NYS Forest Rangers), is one of the law enforcement agencies of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Forest Protection. NYS Forest Rangers are New York State police officers, authorized to enforce New York State Laws, Rules and Regulations, and carry firearms.[1]

Overview

Forest Rangers fulfill the role of police officers, wildland firefighters and wilderness first responders. Their mission statement is to provide public safety and state land protection through expertise in wildland search, rescue, fire, law enforcement, and incident management throughout the State of New York. Forest Rangers patrol 4300000acres of Department-administered public lands and easements by vehicle, boat, ATV, snowmobile, aircraft, bicycle, foot, skis or snowshoes. Each ranger is required to reside within the ranger district in which she/he is assigned but emergencies and special events will require them to work anywhere and at any time. Rangers are often asked to assist other agencies with complex emergency or law enforcement incidents that have occurred in or near a forested area.

The New York State Forest Ranger force is composed of 134 forest rangers, lieutenants, captains and directors stationed at locations across the state, with the greatest numbers located in the Adirondack and Catskill Parks.[2]

Training

Every Forest Ranger must successfully complete a rigorous 26-week Basic Training School, currently held at the SUNY-ESF Ranger School in Wanakena, NY. Upon graduation, Rangers are assigned to a geographic area in one of nine regions of New York.

Each Ranger is trained and equipped for immediate response to outbreaks of wildfires, and also provides training to volunteers and local fire departments in wildland firefighting techniques.

Qualifications

New NYS Forest Rangers must be a resident of New York, be at least 20 years old, possess a New York driver's license, be physically strong and active and able to pass a medical examination and physical ability test, and be able to pass a character background investigation and psychological evaluation.[3]

Forest Rangers are represented by the Police Benevolent Association of New York State (PBA of New York State), a law enforcement labor union representing the interests of approximately 1,200 members of the New York State Agency Police Services Unit (APSU).[4]

History

In May, 1885, Governor David B. Hill signed Chapter 283 into law, which authorized the appointment of the Fire Wardens.[5] The Fire Wardens were overseen by the Forest Commission, which later became the Department of Environmental Conservation.

The title of Forest Ranger was created in chapter 444 of the laws of 1912.

Fallen officers

Since the establishment of the New York State Forest Rangers, two rangers have died while on duty. Forest Ranger Raymond L. Murray passed on October 9, 1970, due to an aircraft accident. Captain Christopher Kostoss died of a self inflicted wound. [6]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Forest Ranger 1 . NYS Department of Environmental Conservation . 15 April 2020.
  2. Web site: Forest Rangers . NYS Department of Environmental Conservation . 15 April 2020.
  3. Web site: New York Forest Ranger Training and Degree Requirements . Park Ranger EDU . 2 April 2014 . 15 April 2020.
  4. Web site: Police Benevolent Association . Police Benevolent Association . 15 April 2020.
  5. Web site: Forest Ranger History Is Rooted In The Forest Preserve . Adirondack Almanac . 14 November 2015 . 15 April 2020.
  6. http://www.odmp.org/agency/4943-new-york-state-department-of-conservation---division-of-lands-and-forests-new-york The Officer Down Memorial Page