The Peru Gazette

Town of Lisle
Broome County
Airboat Training: On Feb. 4, DEC Forest Rangers from Regions 7 and 8 conducted a joint flat ice airboat training with the Broome County Sheriff’s Department on the Whitney Point Reservoir. Crews trained in tandem airboat operations on flat ice and snow to practice maneuvering boats through various challenging conditions. The Forest Ranger airboat stationed in Region 7 is utilized for search and rescue operations statewide and can operate on swift and flat water, in flooded areas, and on flat ice. These training sessions are important for maintaining and sharpening operator proficiency, sharing knowledge and experience, and developing strong working relationships with other agencies to protect public safety.

DEC Forest Ranger and Broome County Sheriff airboat operators with their respective boats
(Photo courtesy of Broome County Sheriff’s Office)

Region 7 Forest Ranger airboat team at Whitney Point Reservoir

Forest Ranger airboat “Miss Susie Q II” with crew

Region 5
Ice Training: On Jan. 29, Feb. 1 and 4, Forest Rangers participated in three sessions of steep/vertical ice training in the Adirondacks. The training focused on climbing steep ice, mixed snow/ice, and rock-covered terrain to prepare Rangers for difficult and dangerous rescues on mountain slides and ice-filled gullies where wintertime accidents are frequent.

Ranger Sabo navigates steep ice-covered terrain while being belayed

New York State DEC staff continue to serve in leadership roles at COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites across the state. For information about efforts to vaccinate New Yorkers and to check eligibility for vaccinations, go to New York State Department of Health’s COVID-19 Vaccine website.