Ahead of busy fall foliage season, police conduct helicopter rescue training at Letchworth State Park
As New York prepares for millions of leaf-peeping tourists to visit its parks and wilderness areas, New York State Park Police, New York State Forest Rangers and New York State Police Aviation Unit pilots conducted rescue training at Letchworth State Park. During this training, State Police helicopter pilots flew with Forest Ranger crew chiefs, who practiced inserting and extracting a rescuer or patient using the hoist cable. The team hovered at an altitude of 150 feet while inserting a Park Police rescuer and extracting a simulated patient in a litter.
“This exercise not only sharpened technical expertise but also strengthened trust and communication among partner agencies, which are critical elements when every second counts in real-world emergencies,” said Tyler Mitchell, director of Forest Ranger lieutenants for the Police Benevolent Association (PBA) of New York State. “This type of specialized helicopter hoist training is critical to ensuring the safety of the public and our officers during high-risk rescue operations.”
Practicing side by side during the August training, state law enforcement officers represented by the PBA of New York State strengthened coordination and preparedness for emergencies in Letchworth State Park. The terrain found at Letchworth is applicable for rescues that occur across the state in some of New York’s most challenging parks, terrain and wilderness areas.
“The PBA of New York State is proud to represent the Forest Rangers and Park Police who continually demonstrate their professionalism and dedication to public service,” said PBA of New York State President James McCartney. “These joint efforts highlight the importance of investing in training, equipment and adequate staffing so that our member officers can carry out lifesaving missions as safely and effectively as possible.”
In 2024, all of New York’s state parks saw a combined 88.3 million visitors, an increase of more than four million over the prior year. With even more visitors expected for 2025 and many of them flocking to state parks and wilderness areas to enjoy the changing fall foliage, the New York State Park Police and Forest Rangers will be more important than ever to ensuring New Yorkers’ safety.
The PBA of New York State urges park-goers and nature lovers to practice patience and common sense this autumn, as increased outdoor recreation often leads to a higher volume of calls for assistance, taxing the understaffed Forest Ranger and Park Police forces statewide. Hikers and fall colors enthusiasts are urged to stick to marked trails, stay with their groups and notify others where they will be and when they should return from their trip prior to entering wilderness areas.
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