An Ontario County man is on his way to becoming a New York State Forest Ranger. Zachary Dormer, of Naples, and eight other graduates who followed extensive law enforcement and natural resources training took part in a ceremony Monday in Albany.
As part of DEC’s Division of Forest Protection, New York Forest Rangers protect natural resources and public safety and stand ready to support sister states across the country in the face of emergencies like wildfires and flooding.
For the last six months, recruits endured strenuous training at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry campus in the hamlet of Wanakena and the Huntington Wildlife Forest in the town of Newcomb. The Division of Forest Protection trained the Ranger recruits in a wide range of rescue techniques, including rope rescues, and led extensive training in wildfire suppression, prescribed burns, water rescues and wildlife protection, among other skills. Nine graduates will join the State’s Forest Ranger force for a total of 156 Rangers statewide.
Upon graduation, DEC assigns recruits to patrol areas to join the ranks of Forest Rangers currently serving across the state. In 2023, Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers conducted 370 search and rescue missions, extinguished 146 wildfires covering nearly 1,400 acres, participated in dozens of prescribed fires that served to rejuvenate more than 1,000 acres of land, and worked on cases that resulted in hundreds of tickets or arrests.
Below is the list of the graduates of the Department of Environmental Conservation’s 24th Basic School for Forest Rangers:
Robert Christopher – Camillus, Onondaga County
Jacob Cleinman – Glenville, Schenectady County
Ryan Commerford – Clifton Park, Saratoga County
Zachary Dormer – Naples, Ontario County
Osita Ezumah – Saranac Lake, Franklin County
Sonja Hale – Pompey, Onondaga County
Nathan Jeffery – Lake Placid, Essex County
Nicole Kocher – Narrowsburg, Sullivan County
Cody Welch – Waterville, Oneida County
“I commend this brave new class of New York State Forest Rangers for completing this important part of their journey to carry on the proud tradition of protecting New York’s environment and the public,” Interim DEC Commissioner Sean Mahar said. “From snow-covered peaks to wildfires in New York and beyond, New York State Forest Rangers are some of the most elite first responders in the state, and I am proud of our newest class of Rangers for stepping up to join our ranks and wish them success as they begin their challenging and fulfilling new careers.”
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