Administration – 607-756-5612
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Chief of Department: Wayne C. Friedman

Chief Wayne C. Friedman began his fire service career in 1987 with the Cuyler Fire Department in Cortland County. He moved up thru the Chief’s ranks prior to relocating and joining the Cortlandville Fire Department in 1996. Chief Friedman served the Cortlandville Fire Department as Fire Chief from 2007-2008. He continues to serve as a volunteer in Cortlandville. His emergency service background is extensive including employment as an EMT/Paramedic with two commercial ambulance services and 18 years as a 911 dispatcher for Cortland County. Chief Friedman began his Professional Fire Service career in 1998 with the Tully Fire District. In 2003 he was hired by the City of Cortland as a Firefighter. In 2010 he was promoted to Deputy Chief of Operations. Chief Friedman was selected as Chief to lead the City of Cortland Fire Department, a combination volunteer/career organization, in 2019.

Chief Friedman has been involved for many years in local and state fire training. He became a State Fire Instructor in 2008, teaching at the New York State Fire Academy as well as in Cortland County. Chief Friedman has also development curriculum for various state training courses, focusing on the advancement of current Officer training and Certification programs. Chief Friedman received an Associate’s Degree in Fire Protection Technology from Onondaga Community College in 1991 and a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration from Empire State College in 2003. In 2019, he graduated from the Executive Fire Officer (EFO) Program from the National Fire Academy in Emmittsburg, Maryland. Chief Friedman has been a member of the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs since 1991. Prior to appointment as Director he served on the Fire Education Committee. He is also a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, New York State Fire Marshalls and Inspectors Association, Career Chief’s Association of New York, Central New York Firemen’s Association and the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York. Chief Friedman is actively involved with the Cortland County Fire Advisory Board and Cortland County Fire Chiefs Association, where he served as President from 1992-1995. He also served as a Deputy Fire Coordinator from 2003-2011.

Wayne lives with his wife Kimberly and sons Gabe and Lucas in Cortlandville.

Deputy Chief: Michael Ten Kate

Battalion Chief: Derek Reynolds



Volunteer Deputy Chief: Charles Sherman

Deputy Chief Charles Sherman has been involved in the fire service since 1980, serving as both a volunteer and career firefighter. Chief Sherman was as a volunteer firefighter in the Homer Fire Department for several years before joining the Cortland Department as a career firefighter in 1988. He was promoted to Fire Captain in 1997, and then to Assistant Chief in late 1999, where he served the department until his retirement in 2010.  During his career he was an Emergency Medical Technician, Hazardous Materials Response Technician, and a NYS  Level II Fire Investigator.  Upon his retirement, he joined the Excelsior Hook and Ladder Company # 3 of the Cortland Fire Department, where he has served as Secretary, Vice President and currently is President of the company. Sherman held the rank of Lieutenant of the Fire Investigation Division until he was elected 2nd Assistant Chief, and now currently holds the rank of 1st Assistant Chief in the department.

After retiring from the career service, Chief Sherman worked as the Environmental Health and Safety Specialist and then the Fire Marshal for the Oneida Indian Nation, before moving to his current position as the Fire and Building Safety Coordinator at Ithaca College.  Chief Sherman is a member of numerous fire service groups, and a life member of the Homer Fire Department.

Volunteer First Assistant Chief: Scott Fairbanks 

Assistant Chief Scott Fairbanks has been in the service of the City of Cortland since 1992. He began as a member of Orris Hose Company #2 and has been involved in many aspects of department operations and company administration. Serving as Company 2 Assistant Foreman, Foreman, Property Clerk, Treasurer and Representative to the Board of Engineers he experienced all aspects of Company Administration. He was awarded Firefighter of the Year in 2004. In 1996 he took on public relations responsibilities as the Parade Lieutenant designating staff to represent the Department at off site functions. He served as a Fire Police Lieutenant with duties including oversight of securing emergency scenes, personnel assignments and training of members. He was Fire Policeman of the Year 2010. He has served as leadership on the Board of Engineers as Vice President and President responsible for continuity of companies within the department. He continues in his 21st year of service as the 1st Assistant Chief.

Volunteer Second Assistant Chief: William Buttino