In this episode, we take a closer look at how DEC supported recovery efforts as part of the New York State Incident Management Team (IMT) operations in the city of Asheville, NC, following the devastation of Hurricane Helene in September 2024.
Hosts Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar and Chief of Staff Erica Ringewald welcome Division of Forest Protection Forest Ranger Captain Adam Pickett and Division of Communication, Education, and Engagement/DEC Region 5 Public Participation Specialist Erin Hanczyk to discuss their 14-day IMT deployments, which included helping to distribute food and water to impacted communities and coordinating communications and outreach to support recovery efforts in western North Carolina.
Adam and Erin also discuss navigating the challenges of deployment, including coordinating logistics between state, federal, and local agencies, maintaining healthy work-to-rest schedules during lengthy workdays, and lending support to fellow disaster response team members with families in impacted communities. They discuss how their experiences help inform incident response in New York, including the recent Jennings Creek wildfire.
Episode 16 also spotlights the latest environmental news and DEC initiatives, including the graduation of DEC’s newest class of Forest Rangers, unique job opportunities with DEC, and a special holiday sale for The Conservationist, DEC’s official bi-monthly magazine.
Episode Notes:
- The Conservationist Magazine
- DEC’s Division of Forest Protection
- Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.
© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.
