Area State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) forest rangers have been busy already this month teaching basic wildland search and rescue skills trainings in Western New York.
In state highlights for the week, NYSDEC notes that on Saturday, March 4, Forest Rangers Justin Thaine of Allegany, Daniel Cordell of Livingston, John Kennedy of Wyoming, and Ryan Richer of Chautauqua counties taught a basic wildland search skills course to 55 members of the Niagara County Sheriff’s department, Niagara Frontier Search and Rescue (NFSAR), and several local fire departments.
Conducted at Wolcottsville Fire Department and the Tonawanda Wildlife Management Area, the course provides students standardized training and skills necessary to assist in search and rescue incidents.
The following day, Ranger Thaine conducted an area grid search training field exercise at Phillips Creek State Forest for volunteers from the Alfred A.E. Crandall Hook and Ladder Company and the Allegany County search team.