CORTLAND, NY — July 31, 2026 — At a ceremonial walkout honoring City of Cortland Fire Chief Wayne Friedman's retirement on Friday afternoon, members of the Cortlandville Fire Department joined firemen, police, and local authorities.

At the event, which took place at Cortland Fire Headquarters at 21 Court Street at 3 p.m., Friedman left the station for the last time as chief, surrounded by coworkers, relatives, other fire departments, and community officials. As a formal acknowledgment of his career, the city had publicized the event ahead of time.

Friedman's fire-service career began in 1987 with the Cuyler Volunteer Fire Department. He later served with the Cortlandville Fire Department, where he advanced through the ranks to become chief, before serving with the Tully Fire Department from 1998 to 2003. He joined the City of Cortland Fire Department in 2003.

After joining the city department, Friedman was promoted to assistant fire chief in 2010 and became chief of department in 2019. His retirement brings to a close a career spanning nearly four decades in fire and emergency medical services.

Cortland officials credited Friedman with helping strengthen the department's training, emergency response capabilities, equipment and apparatus. He also remained active in fire-service organizations beyond Cortland, including the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs, where he served as a board member beginning in 2021. In 2026, he was selected as the New York State Career Fire Chief of the Year.

Friedman's work in the fire service also extended to education. The city said he earned the Executive Fire Officer designation from the National Fire Academy in 2019 and continued to support firefighter development and training throughout his career.

Because Friedman's ties to the department go beyond his tenure as a fireman, Cortlandville residents joined Friday's walkout. According to Kevin Whitney, chairman of the Cortlandville Fire Commission, the district is appreciative of Friedman's ongoing membership and service and proud of his accomplishments.

Friedman's familial ties to the fire department were also represented in the event. The Cortlandville Fire Department claims that his kids, who work with him in the department, carry on the tradition that started with his parents. As a result, his fire service career has involved many generations of family members.

Firefighters from Cortlandville, Cuyler, Tully, and Homer, among other places, came together on Friday to provide a regional farewell for a chief whose career encompassed leadership, volunteer, and professional responsibilities across Cortland County.