Ranger Lessons on Gear, Fuel, and Teamwork - The Code We Keep

As frontline workers, we don’t just show up — we adapt, we prepare, and we fight for every inch of ground. Today’s newsletter with Ranger and Fire Chief Greg George isn’t just storytelling. It’s a course in longevity — how to stay alive in the woods, the field, and your own body. From keeping dry and fueled to maintaining your gear and crew, Greg’s decades on the front lines teach us one thing: preparation isn’t optional — it’s survival.

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Hello Flex Crew,

Today we’re pulling ranger lessons from a true front-line veteran — 33 years as a New York State Forest Ranger and now Fire Chief in Blue Mountain Lake, NY at the BMLFD. Greg George has lived every kind of shift: fire, flood, rescue, survival. What he learned — often the hard way — is every shft you walk onto could throw you into the unknown.

Ranger Greg George on Fire in Adirondacks, NY

Gear That Works When The Weather Doesn’t

Greg didn’t learn gear from a weather forecast — he learned it from experience and trial by fire. The number one battle in the North Country? Sweat. When you work hard in cold weather, you don’t just get wet — you lose insulation, which can turn into dangerous hypothermia quick.

Greg’s rule: Keep dry clothes ready — in your pack, in your vehicle. When you sweaty and stop, change out of wet gear immediately. Lightweight wool and modern synthetics are worth their weight — they resist moisture absorption and wick it away from your skin, keeping your body in a safer thermal zone. Avoid cotton — Greg calls it the “cadaver cloth,” because once cotton gets wet, it traps water and destroys its insulation properties. This isn’t theory — it’s frontline cold weather survival. Gear choice equals survival. Change wet gear before your body pays for it. Your hands, feet, and mind work best warm and dry.

Keep dry clothes ready — in your pack, in your vehicle. When you sweaty and stop, change out of wet gear immediately.

Food and Fuel That Get You Through 20-Hour Missions

Your body is a furnace. It needs water first and food second. Hydration isn’t a luxury — on long shifts, it’s how nutrients move through your system. While sports drinks have their place, water plus a bit of electrolyte is usually enough when you’re sweating hard on a rescue or fire line.

Spam in the pack, GORP in the tin

For food, balance matters: carbohydrates + protein + fat keep you going. Greg and his crew carried GORP (good old raisins and peanuts) for quick carbs, protein, and fat all in one handful. They also packed cans of Spam — not glamorous, but dense with the fuel you need when the weather and exertion don’t quit. Pack it where you won’t lose it — put your lunch where you can find it when hunger hits.

Download Ranger George 'Fuel' GORP Recipe here:

Ranger George’s Fuel — The GORP That Never Quits.pdf

Download PDF • 1.98MB

Lift With Legs ! Not Your Back !

One of the biggest lessons from Greg was lifting smart. There’s a long-standing rule in the trades: lift with your legs, not your back. What the science says isn’t cut-and-dry, but there is evidence that focusing on using strong leg and hip muscles, keeping loads close, and reducing strain on your lower back can reduce peak loading on your spine — which means less injury over the long haul. A recent biomechanics study supports using cues like bending your knees, maximizing hip and knee work, and keeping the load close to decrease back stress while lifting manually.

Here’s a video that drills the basics of lifting safely: How To Lift With Your Legs

Dull Tool is a Dangerous Tool - Safety Starts With Sharp Tools

Ranger Greg George Chopping with Sharp Axe

Greg said it plain: a dull tool is a dangerous tool. Dull edges slip. They bounce. They don’t go where you want them to go.

Here’s a video on one of the most frontline tools you’ll ever use: How To Sharpen an Axe (Fast, Easy Method)

Sharpening isn’t just “tidying up.” It’s safety. It’s efficiency. It’s respect for your craft, tools, and your body.

Lead By Example - Earn Trust With Preparedness

Greg’s leadership mantra: lead by doing. You don’t tell your crew what to do — you show them. Whether it’s boots, hydration, stretching before a lift, or gear maintenance — your crew learns trust by watching you act, not just talk.

In effective teams — in woods or windows or wards — communication matters. Greg outlined what every good briefing includes: a clear objective, a defined role for each crew member, a communication plan, and a medical plan. That framework works at a rescue grid and in your own shift planning.

Ranger Greg George - Helicopter Rescue

Pick One Ranger Lessons — Make It Count

This week, look at your shift gear and your body prep. Pick one thing to change:

• Pack dry backup clothes every day?

• Add GORP or another compact fuel to your shift bag?

• Watch that lifting video before your next heavy lift?

  
  

Whatever it is — do it with intent. Your preparation sets the tone for your shift. Your hands will set you free.

Author: Joel George

Editor: Greg George

*Disclaimer: Not medical advice. For education and motivation only. Consult a qualified professional for any health, fitness, or injury concerns.