The Cortland County Department of Fire & Emergency Management is staffed by a full time Director (Fire Coordinator) and a full time Assistant Director (Emergency Manager). By dividing the County into five zones, Coordinator G. Robert Duell is assisted in executing his duties by five part-time Deputy Fire Coordinators, one for each of the zones 

Coordinator Duell and his office administers the Cortland County Mutual Aid plan. This role is not that of an on-scene commander, but to assist with and advise the local fire officer in the response of the necessary resources to mitigate the given situation. The Director/Coordinator also oversees the operation and maintenance of the Cortland County Regional Training Center.

The County Fire Coordinator acts as the Regional Fire Administrator upon activation of the New York State Fire Mobilization Plan, organizing local resources and advising the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control on utilization of those resources.  

The Fire Coordinator’s Office also plans, coordinates, and implements training at the local level with curriculum developed by the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control (OFPC) to the hundreds of firefighters, related governmental officers and other emergency response personnel in Cortland County . He is assisted in providing this OFPC Outreach Program by four local New York State Certified Fire Instructors and certified County Fire Instructors.