Environment DEC
From the August 2006 issue
DEC Rangers, Other Staff and Volunteers, Dispatched to Southern California
Ten DEC Forest Rangers, two other DEC employees and seven DEC volunteer wildland firefighters left for California on July 26, 2006, to help combat raging wildfires in the Los Padres National Forest.
Highly Trained, Professional Teams
Firefighting team discusses travel
details before departing New York
In announcing their departure, DEC Commissioner Denise M. Sheehan said, "New York State's Forest Rangers are among the most highly trained, professional wildfire fighting teams in the nation. Throughout the years our rangers have assisted neighboring states and Canadian Provinces in controlling large scale and dangerous wildfires, protecting life, property and our beautiful natural resources. These forest rangers, other DEC staff and volunteer EMTs will be a tremendous asset in the fight to halt the spread of wildfires in southern California. I am extremely proud of their efforts and wish them luck on their journey."
The firefighters are being dispatched from Albany through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Forest Service. This agreement allows for the sharing and dispatching of firefighters throughout the country.
Assigned to Bald Wildland Fire
The 19-person New York State wildland firefighting crew are expected to spend 14 days fighting fire in the Los Padres National Forest. The crew's initial assignment is expected to be on the Bald Wildland Fire, which is one of four fires managed under the San Rafael Complex. This fire is located about 20 miles west of Cuyama, California. The Bald fire began on July 22, 2006 from a lightning strike and, as of July 25, the fire was affecting 1,250 acres and burning uncontrolled.
Fully equipped, the team is ready to battle the California blaze
Roster of Firefighters and EMTs
Forest rangers and wildland firefighters dispatched to California (listed with their hometowns) include:
Crew Boss: Forest Ranger Timothy Carpenter, Bath, NY
Squad Boss: Forest Ranger David Kallen, Stamford, NY
Squad Boss: Forest Ranger Ian Kerr, Ridge, NY
Squad Boss: Forest Ranger Adam Pickett, Little Falls, NY
Fire-line EMTs:
Forest Ranger Julie Harjung, Saranac Lake, NY
Forest Ranger Chris DiCintio, Columbiaville, NY
Forest Ranger Gary Miller, Fremont Center, NY
Forest Ranger David Russell, Walden, NY
Forest Ranger Jason Scott, Gilboa, NY
Forest Ranger Justin Thaine, Angelica, NY
DEC Operations Jerry Eaves, Lowville, NY
DEC Forester Daniel Gaidasz, Sloansville, NY
Volunteer Fire-line EMTs:
Leonard Carson, Oneonta, NY
Anthony Cabales, Fresh Meadows, NY
Christopher Kennedy, Hammondsport, NY
Bruce Knudsen, Amsterdam, NY
Patrick Conley, Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY
John Solan Sr., Cossayuna, NY
Gary Glintenkamp, East Setauket, NY
