New York Search and Rescue: Who Leads & How to Request Help

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New York Search and Rescue

Who leads searches in New York, how agencies request state help, and the resources behind them. Each item links to its source. Reviewed November 2026.

Emergency: call 911. State 24-hour contact: DEC Dispatch 1-833-NYS-RANGERS (1-833-697-7264). How a state request works ↓

Requesting state help in New York

On state land and in remote forests, the DEC Forest Ranger force runs search and rescue: the Environmental Conservation Law lets it organize, direct and execute searches for lost persons and civilian aircraft in fire towns and fire districts. Where criminal conduct or a fugitive is suspected, law enforcement has jurisdiction.

State 24-hour contactDEC Dispatch 1-833-NYS-RANGERS (1-833-697-7264).
Requesting state resourcesA Forest Ranger directs the search on state land and in remote forest. Local volunteer fire departments and SAR groups do ground searches and logistics, State Police Aviation flies helicopter searches, and sheriffs act as liaison.

Want to write the request out before you call? Use the request builder. Official agency: NYS DHSES ↗.

Key numbers

Only figures with a published source.

62counties

U.S. Census Bureau boundaries.

U.S. Census Bureau ↗

18Discipline directories

BluePrintSAR resource pages for New York (below).

How search and rescue is requested in New York

Step 1In an emergency call 911. County 911 centers pass wilderness cases to DEC dispatch and the Forest Rangers.
Step 2To reach DEC directly, call DEC Dispatch at 1-833-NYS-RANGERS (1-833-697-7264).
Step 3A Forest Ranger directs the search on state land and in remote forest. Local volunteer fire departments and SAR groups do ground searches and logistics, State Police Aviation flies helicopter searches, and sheriffs act as liaison.
Step 4Volunteer teams are called out through the Rangers (for example Lower Adirondack SAR is activated on a Ranger request).
Step 5When local resources are overwhelmed, the State EOC activates ESF-9 under OFPC through the NYS Watch Center, the state 24/7 alert and warning point.

Law and authority

ECL 9-0105, subdivision 18

DEC must establish, operate and maintain a search and rescue program in fire towns and fire districts. The forest ranger force may organize, direct and execute searches for lost persons or civilian aircraft and respond to people hurt or in danger in remote forested areas.

Read the source ↗

State plans and guidelines

Official plans, annexes and program documents for New York.

NYS Emergency Support Function 9 (Search and Rescue) ↗ — The Office of Fire Prevention and Control (OFPC) is the ESF-9 coordinating agency at the State EOC. DEC runs the primary state wildland SAR program through Forest Rangers and has authority over wildland SAR except where criminal conduct or fugitive searches are involved.

Resources by discipline

What each resource does, how it is requested in New York, and the standards that apply.

Listed in BluePrintSAR directories for New York

Loading counts…

Counts are directory category listings, not unique organizations, personnel or available assets. Informational canine placeholders are excluded. Organizations can appear in several categories; canine specialty subtotals can overlap.

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Aviation (NYSP / USCG)

NYSP Aviation supports DEC Forest Rangers with hoist rescues, and the NYPD Aviation Unit flies SAR with divers around New York City.

How to request

In New York, aircraft are requested by the agency running the search.

Standards and policy

There is no state SAR aircrew rule. State Police aircraft pilots need 2,000 flight hours (1,500 with law enforcement, hoist, night vision, external load or mountain experience) plus commercial and instrument ratings, rising to an ATP for senior grades. Forest Rangers act as hoist operators and rescuers on State Police hoist missions; Civil Air Patrol crews follow national CAP qualifications.

New York Aviation (NYSP / USCG) directory

Canine (K9)

NYSFEDSAR sets K9 standards and approves outside tests (NASAR, IPWDA, NSDA); DEC Forest Rangers use member volunteer dog teams

How to request

In New York's forests and wild lands, DEC Forest Rangers direct the search.

Standards and policy

The New York State Federation of Search and Rescue Teams (NYSFEDSAR) publishes a list of approved agencies and tests for K9 certification (November 3, 2024) covering obedience, wilderness air scent, trailing and human remains detection. It accepts tests from IPWDA, NASAR, NSDA, NPBA, USPCA and others, and lists accepted recertification tests (IPWDA 40 or 160 acre, NSDA Area Type II).

New York Canine (K9) directory

Cave & Mine Rescue

Volunteer specialists

Specialists for rescues in caves and mines, where rope work, tight passages and communications make ordinary rescue methods hard.

Who provides it in New York

Cave rescuers serve on local rescue squads and cave rescue groups. The National Cave Rescue Commission (part of the National Speleological Society) trains them and tracks cave rescue resources and specialized equipment. New York is in the NCRC Northeastern Region. Accidents at working mines fall under the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration.

How to request

Call 911. The agency with jurisdiction requests cave rescuers and can reach the NCRC regional coordinator listed on the NCRC staff page. Report an accident at a working mine to MSHA at 1-800-746-1553.

Standards and policy

NCRC national cave rescue curriculum: Orientation to Cave Rescue, Level 1 Team Member and Level 2 Team Leader.

New York Cave & Mine Rescue directory NCRC about ↗ NCRC regional coordinators ↗ MSHA emergency contact ↗

Cell Phone Forensics

Kelsey Smith Act law: none found. 5 agencies and resources listed. All checked against a cited source.

How to request

In New York, only the law enforcement agency running the search can ask a carrier for a phone's location.

Standards and policy

There is no single national certification for cell phone analysis in searches; agencies and labs set their own training requirements.

New York Cell Phone Forensics directory

Coast Guard

Coast Guard districts and 4 sectors covering New York, plus 13 stations, local and volunteer units. All checked against official sources.

How to request

In New York, call 911 or VHF-FM Channel 16 for a maritime emergency.

Standards and policy

Coast Guard and Auxiliary crews qualify under Coast Guard training programs; local marine units follow the standards their agency sets.

New York Coast Guard directory

Communication

National SAR and interoperability channels from the NIFOG, plus 4 state, local and volunteer radio systems and groups. All checked against official sources.

How to request

In New York, the agency running the search sets the radio plan.

Standards and policy

Communications unit leaders (COML) and technicians (COMT) train through CISA courses and state credentialing; volunteers hold FCC amateur licenses.

New York Communication directory

Dive & Underwater

8 public safety and volunteer dive teams listed. All checked against a cited source.

How to request

In New York, start with the agency running the search.

Standards and policy

Public safety dive teams commonly train to NFPA 1006 (technical rescue personnel qualifications), which covers dive rescue; each team’s sponsoring agency sets its own certification requirements.

New York Dive & Underwater directory

Drone / UAS

No New York statute specifically governs government drone use; FAA rules and agency policy apply. 7 agency and volunteer drone teams listed, each checked against a published source in October 2026.

How to request

In New York, drone teams are requested by the agency running the search.

Standards and policy

Part 107 pilots complete FAA recurrent training every 24 months; agency programs set their own proficiency standards.

New York Drone / UAS directory

DEC Forest Rangers

Lead SAR agency (state land)

The state ranger force that directs searches on state land and in remote forests.

Who provides it in New York

The NYS DEC Forest Ranger force. Local volunteer fire departments and SAR groups do ground searches and logistics, State Police Aviation flies helicopter searches, and sheriffs act as liaison. Where criminal conduct or a fugitive is suspected, law enforcement has jurisdiction.

How to request

Call DEC Dispatch at 1-833-NYS-RANGERS (1-833-697-7264).

Standards and policy

ECL 9-0105(18): DEC must run a SAR program in fire towns and fire districts; the forest ranger force may organize, direct and execute searches for lost persons or civilian aircraft.

New York Forest Rangers / Law Enforcement directory ECL 9-0105 ↗ NYS ESF 9 (Search and Rescue) ↗

Mantracking

Trackers who find and follow a missing person’s footprints and other sign on the ground.

Who provides it in New York

Trackers are requested through the agency running the search. This page does not list specific New York tracking teams.

How to request

The agency running the search requests trackers, usually alongside ground search teams; see who leads searches above.

Standards and policy

ASTM F2852, Standard Practice for Training a Land Search Tracker, sets minimum training for trackers supporting a land search. FEMA’s Land SAR Team typing (8-508-1173) references ASTM F2209 for land search team members.

New York Mantracking directory ASTM F2852 (tracker training) ↗ FEMA Land SAR Team definition ↗

Marine & Boating Law Enforcement

State boating agency

Officers and boats on lakes, rivers and coastal waters who respond to boating emergencies and support water searches.

Who provides it in New York

The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators lists NY Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation as New York’s boating law agency (boating safety, enforcement and registration).

How to request

Call 911 for a water emergency; the agency with jurisdiction requests marine units through dispatch. On coastal waters and the Great Lakes, the U.S. Coast Guard coordinates maritime search and rescue.

Standards and policy

State boating laws. NASBLA promotes uniform state boating laws and their enforcement (U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety Division).

New York Marine / DEC Patrol directory NY Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation ↗ NASBLA New York boating contacts ↗ State boating laws (USCG Boating Safety) ↗

National Guard

Governor-activated

Military helicopters and personnel for hoist rescue, aerial search and ground support when civilian resources can’t do the job.

Who provides it in New York

The New York National Guard (Army and Air), activated in state status by the Governor.

How to request

The agency with jurisdiction requests it through NYS DHSES. NWCG’s helicopter extraction list directs 911 and dispatch centers to coordinate requests for military, Coast Guard and National Guard aircraft through the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC) at 800-851-3051.

Standards and policy

State active duty under the Governor’s authority; Guard aircraft used for SAR are coordinated with the rescue coordination center.

New York National Guard directory New York National Guard (official) ↗ State Guard websites (National Guard Bureau) ↗ NYS DHSES ↗ Helicopter extraction source list (NWCG PMS 512) ↗

State Parks

State agency

The state park system, whose staff know park terrain and trails and support searches on park land.

Who provides it in New York

New York State Parks. The National Association of State Park Directors lists this as the official park-system website.

How to request

For an emergency in a park, call 911. Park staff support the agency with jurisdiction; see who leads searches at the top of this page.

Standards and policy

Park rules and staff authority are set by the state park agency; see its website.

New York State Parks & DEC directory New York State Parks (official) ↗ State park directory (America’s State Parks) ↗

Swiftwater & Flood Rescue

State program

Teams that search for and rescue people and animals in swiftwater and floods, from shore and by boat.

Who provides it in New York

New York has a state swift water rescue team drawn from the DHSES Office of Fire Prevention and Control, the Department of Environmental Conservation and the State Police, equipped with boats, high-water rescue vehicles and drones; it can rescue people and animals and support helicopter rescue.

How to request

The agency with jurisdiction requests water rescue through 911 dispatch. State teams are requested through NYS DHSES.

Standards and policy

FEMA’s NIMS resource typing defines a Swiftwater/Flood Search and Rescue Team (8-508-1020), which provides shore-based and boat-based water rescue, basic life support and animal rescue.

New York Swiftwater directory Governor Hochul deploys state swift water team (Sept 2024) ↗ FEMA Swiftwater/Flood SAR Team definition ↗

Technical Mountain Rescue

Teams for steep, high-angle and alpine terrain that use rope systems to reach and evacuate people.

Who provides it in New York

No Mountain Rescue Association member team is based in New York (MRA team lists). Technical rope rescue is requested through the agency with jurisdiction.

How to request

The agency with jurisdiction requests the team, usually through 911 dispatch; see who leads searches above. Help from outside the area is requested through NYS DHSES.

Standards and policy

FEMA’s NIMS resource typing defines a Mountain Search and Rescue Team (8-508-1171) for low mountain, mountain and alpine environments. The MRA lists member teams by region with their membership status.

New York Technical Mountain Rescue directory MRA teams by region ↗ FEMA Mountain SAR Team definition ↗

USAR (FEMA / State Task Force)

One FEMA task force is based here (NY-TF1).

How to request

In New York, US&R teams are requested by the agency in charge of the incident, through the state emergency management agency when local resources run short.

Standards and policy

FEMA task forces train to FEMA and NFPA standards; state and regional teams follow the standards their sponsor sets.

New York USAR (FEMA / State Task Force) directory

Federal lands (Forest Service and National Park Service)

Federal land manager

Federal land agencies whose staff support searches on national forests, grasslands and parks.

Who provides it in New York

National forests and grasslands in New York on the Forest Service’s list: Finger Lakes National Forest. The National Park Service lists 32 park sites in New York.

How to request

Searches on national forest land are led by the local law enforcement agency with jurisdiction (in most states, the county sheriff), with the Forest Service supporting under cooperative agreements. In a national park, call 911 or the park’s emergency line; the NPS will make reasonable efforts to search for lost persons, using its own staff or partner SAR organizations under formal agreements.

Standards and policy

NPS Management Policies 2006, §8.2.5.3: SAR runs under the Incident Command System and visitors are not charged for it.

New York National Parks / Federal directory NPS sites in New York ↗ Forest Service units by state ↗ USDA testimony on sheriff SAR agreements ↗ NPS SAR policy excerpt ↗

UTV & ATV Units

Off-road vehicles, including UTVs, ATVs and e-bikes, that move searchers and equipment and carry out injured people over rough trails.

Who provides it in New York

Off-road vehicle support is requested through the agency running the search. This page does not list specific New York UTV or ATV units.

How to request

The agency running the search requests vehicle units; see who leads searches above.

Standards and policy

FEMA’s Land SAR Team typing (8-508-1173) includes ground vehicles for support, transportation and evacuation in land and wilderness searches.

New York UTV & ATV / Snowmachines directory FEMA Land SAR Team definition ↗

62-county directory

Each county and its sheriff’s office. Who leads a search varies by state; see the top of this page. For an emergency, call 911.

All 62 phone numbers verified (2026-10) against the agency’s own site, a government directory, or a sheriffs’ association or IACP directory; each “Verified” link shows the source. For an emergency, call 911.

Jurisdiction	Agency	Phone
Albany County	Albany County Sheriff’s Office	(518) 487-5440 sheriff’s office line (NYS Directory of Criminal Justice Agencies, data.ny.gov) · Verified
Allegany County	Allegany County Sheriff’s Office	(585) 268-9200 sheriff’s office line (NYS Directory of Criminal Justice Agencies, data.ny.gov) · Verified
Bronx County	New York City Police Department (NYPD)	(646) 610-5410 NYPD headquarters line (NYS directory); for police non-emergencies call 311 · Verified
Broome County	Broome County Sheriff’s Office	(607) 778-1911 sheriff’s office line (NYS Directory of Criminal Justice Agencies, data.ny.gov) · Verified
Cattaraugus County	Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office	(716) 938-9191 sheriff’s office line (NYS Directory of Criminal Justice Agencies, data.ny.gov) · Verified
Cayuga County	Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office	(315) 253-1222 sheriff’s office line (NYS Directory of Criminal Justice Agencies, data.ny.gov) · Verified
Chautauqua County	Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office	(716) 753-4900 sheriff’s office line (NYS Directory of Criminal Justice Agencies, data.ny.gov) · Verified
Chemung County	Chemung County Sheriff’s Office	(607) 737-2987 sheriff’s office line (NYS Directory of Criminal Justice Agencies, data.ny.gov) · Verified
Chenango County	Chenango County Sheriff’s Office	(607) 334-2000 sheriff’s office line (NYS Directory of Criminal Justice Agencies, data.ny.gov) · Verified
Clinton County	Clinton County Sheriff’s Office	(518) 565-4300 sheriff’s office line (NYS Directory of Criminal Justice Agencies, data.ny.gov) · Verified
Columbia County	Columbia County Sheriff’s Office	(518) 828-0601 sheriff’s office line (NYS Directory of Criminal Justice Agencies, data.ny.gov) · Verified
Cortland County	Cortland County Sheriff’s Office	(607) 753-3311 sheriff’s office line (NYS Directory of Criminal Justice Agencies, data.ny.gov) · Verified
Delaware County	Delaware County Sheriff’s Office	(607) 746-2336 sheriff’s office line (NYS Directory of Criminal Justice Agencies, data.ny.gov) · Verified
Dutchess County	Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office	(845) 486-3800 sheriff’s office line (NYS Directory of Criminal Justice Agencies, data.ny.gov) · Verified
Erie County	Erie County Sheriff’s Office	(716) 858-7608 sheriff’s office line (NYS Directory of Criminal Justice Agencies, data.ny.gov) · Verified
Essex County	Essex County Sheriff’s Office	(518) 873-6902 sheriff’s office line (NYS Directory of Criminal Justice Agencies, data.ny.gov) · Verified
Franklin County	Franklin County Sheriff’s Office	(518) 483-3304 sheriff’s office line (NYS Directory of Criminal Justice Agencies, data.ny.gov) · Verified
Fulton County	Fulton County Sheriff’s Office	(518) 736-2100 sheriff’s office line (NYS Directory of Criminal Justice Agencies, data.ny.gov) · Verified
Genesee County	Genesee County Sheriff’s Office	(585) 345-3000 sheriff’s office line (NYS Directory of Criminal Justice Agencies, data.ny.gov) · Verified
Greene County	Greene County Sheriff’s Office	(518) 943-3302 sheriff’s office line (NYS Directory of Criminal Justice Agencies, data.ny.gov) · Verified
Hamilton County	Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office	(518) 548-3113 sheriff’s office line (NYS Directory of Criminal Justice Agencies, data.ny.gov) · Verified
Herkimer County	Herkimer County Sheriff’s Office	(315) 867-1167 sheriff’s office line (NYS Directory of Criminal Justice Agencies, data.ny.gov) · Verified
Jefferson County	Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office	(315) 786-2660 sheriff’s office line (NYS Directory of Criminal Justice Agencies, data.ny.gov) · Verified
Kings County	New York City Police Department (NYPD)	(646) 610-5410 NYPD headquarters line (NYS directory); for police non-emergencies call 311 · Verified
Lewis County	Lewis County Sheriff’s Office	(315) 376-3511 sheriff’s office line (NYS Directory of Criminal Justice Agencies, data.ny.gov) · Verified
Livingston County	Livingston County Sheriff’s Office	(585) 243-7100 sheriff’s office line (NYS Directory of Criminal Justice Agencies, data.ny.gov) · Verified
Madison County	Madison County Sheriff’s Office	(315) 366-2318 sheriff’s office line (NYS Directory of Criminal Justice Agencies, data.ny.gov) · Verified
Monroe County	Monroe County Sheriff’s Office	(585) 753-4522 sheriff’s office line (NYS Directory of Criminal Justice Agencies, data.ny.gov) · Verified
Montgomery County	Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office	(518) 853-5500 sheriff’s office line (NYS Directory of Criminal Justice Agencies, data.ny.gov) · Verified
Nassau County	Nassau County Police Department	(516) 573-8800 police headquarters; county police, not the sheriff, take missing-person reports · Verified
New York County	New York City Police Department (NYPD)	(646) 610-5410 NYPD headquarters line (NYS directory); for police non-emergencies call 311 · Verified
Niagara County	Niagara County Sheriff’s Office	(716) 438-3370 sheriff’s office line (NYS Directory of Criminal Justice Agencies, data.ny.gov) · Verified
Oneida County	Oneida County Sheriff’s Office	(315) 765-2200 sheriff’s office line (NYS Directory of Criminal Justice Agencies, data.ny.gov) · Verified
Onondaga County	Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office	(315) 435-3044 sheriff’s office line (NYS Directory of Criminal Justice Agencies, data.ny.gov) · Verified
Ontario County	Ontario County Sheriff’s Office	(585) 394-4560 sheriff’s office line (NYS Directory of Criminal Justice Agencies, data.ny.gov) · Verified
Orange County	Orange County Sheriff’s Office	(845) 291-4033 sheriff’s office line (NYS Directory of Criminal Justice Agencies, data.ny.gov) · Verified
Orleans County	Orleans County Sheriff’s Office	(585) 590-4137 sheriff’s office line (NYS Directory of Criminal Justice Agencies, data.ny.gov) · Verified
Oswego County	Oswego County Sheriff’s Office	(315) 349-3307 sheriff’s office line (NYS Directory of Criminal Justice Agencies, data.ny.gov) · Verified
Otsego County	Otsego County Sheriff’s Office	(607) 547-4271 sheriff’s office line (NYS Directory of Criminal Justice Agencies, data.ny.gov) · Verified
Putnam County	Putnam County Sheriff’s Office	(845) 225-4300 sheriff’s office line (NYS Directory of Criminal Justice Agencies, data.ny.gov) · Verified
Queens County	New York City Police Department (NYPD)	(646) 610-5410 NYPD headquarters line (NYS directory); for police non-emergencies call 311 · Verified
Rensselaer County	Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office	(518) 270-5448 sheriff’s office line (NYS Directory of Criminal Justice Agencies, data.ny.gov) · Verified
Richmond County	New York City Police Department (NYPD)	(646) 610-5410 NYPD headquarters line (NYS directory); for police non-emergencies call 311 · Verified
Rockland County	Rockland County Sheriff’s Office	(845) 638-5464 sheriff’s office line (NYS Directory of Criminal Justice Agencies, data.ny.gov) · Verified
Saratoga County	Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office	(518) 885-2450 sheriff’s office line (NYS Directory of Criminal Justice Agencies, data.ny.gov) · Verified
Schenectady County	Schenectady County Sheriff’s Office	(518) 388-4300 sheriff’s office line (NYS Directory of Criminal Justice Agencies, data.ny.gov) · Verified
Schoharie County	Schoharie County Sheriff’s Office	(518) 295-7066 sheriff’s office line (NYS Directory of Criminal Justice Agencies, data.ny.gov) · Verified
Schuyler County	Schuyler County Sheriff’s Office	(607) 535-8222 sheriff’s office line (NYS Directory of Criminal Justice Agencies, data.ny.gov) · Verified
Seneca County	Seneca County Sheriff’s Office	(315) 220-3200 sheriff’s office line (NYS Directory of Criminal Justice Agencies, data.ny.gov) · Verified
St. Lawrence County	St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office	(315) 379-2365 sheriff’s office line (NYS Directory of Criminal Justice Agencies, data.ny.gov) · Verified
Steuben County	Steuben County Sheriff’s Office	(607) 776-7009 sheriff’s office line (NYS Directory of Criminal Justice Agencies, data.ny.gov) · Verified
Suffolk County	Suffolk County Police Department	(631) 852-2677 police non-emergency (631-852-COPS); some East End towns have their own police · Verified
Sullivan County	Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office	(845) 794-7100 sheriff’s office line (NYS Directory of Criminal Justice Agencies, data.ny.gov) · Verified
Tioga County	Tioga County Sheriff’s Office	(607) 687-1010 sheriff’s office line (NYS Directory of Criminal Justice Agencies, data.ny.gov) · Verified
Tompkins County	Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office	(607) 257-1345 sheriff’s office line (NYS Directory of Criminal Justice Agencies, data.ny.gov) · Verified
Ulster County	Ulster County Sheriff’s Office	(845) 340-3802 sheriff’s office line (NYS Directory of Criminal Justice Agencies, data.ny.gov) · Verified
Warren County	Warren County Sheriff’s Office	(518) 743-2500 sheriff’s office line (NYS Directory of Criminal Justice Agencies, data.ny.gov) · Verified
Washington County	Washington County Sheriff’s Office	(518) 746-2475 sheriff’s office line (NYS Directory of Criminal Justice Agencies, data.ny.gov) · Verified
Wayne County	Wayne County Sheriff’s Office	(315) 946-9711 sheriff’s office line (NYS Directory of Criminal Justice Agencies, data.ny.gov) · Verified
Westchester County	Westchester County Department of Public Safety	(914) 864-7710 county police headquarters (NYS directory) · Verified
Wyoming County	Wyoming County Sheriff’s Office	(585) 786-8989 sheriff’s office line (NYS Directory of Criminal Justice Agencies, data.ny.gov) · Verified
Yates County	Yates County Sheriff’s Office	(315) 536-4438 sheriff’s office line (county directory, Oct 2026) · Verified

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