The Cortland Fire Department was chartered in 1947 as an all-volunteer fire department. The Cortland Community Fire Protection District was formed in 1964 as a taxing body to fund the operations of the fire department. In 2012, Cortland Fire Department staffed an ambulance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Volunteers respond to staff the fire apparatus, to respond to fire incidents, and also to assist the ambulance crew on EMS incidents.

We proudly protect the growing Town of Cortland as well as the rural residents within the district. The fire protection district encompasses 25 square miles with borders at the Sycamore Fire District to the north, the Hinckley Fire Protection District to the south, the Maple Park Fire Protection District to the east, and the City of DeKalb to the west.

We are a member of the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) Division 6. This agreement is to assist other area fire departments with our crews and equipment. In return, the other area fire departments come and assist our crews.

We offer tours of the fire station, including fire trucks and ambulances. If you would like a tour or would like more information about services provided, please stop by the station between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Training takes place every Monday night, with fire training and one night of training dedicated to EMS. Training consists of videos, lectures, hands-on, live fire training, and extrication training.

The Cortland Fire Department members consists of a Fire Chief, Assistant Chiefs, Captains, Lieutenants, Firefighter/Paramedics, Firefighter/EMTs, Paramedics, and EMTs.

If you need further information, would like a tour, or if you have a comment about our service or a suggestion about how we can better serve the citizens of Cortland, please feel free to contact us. You may reach us on our non-emergency phone number at 815-756-2545 or email info@cortlandfire.com. Our crew will make sure we do everything we can to answer your questions and concerns.