CORTLAND, NY (607NewsNow) – Advanced medical training is paying off at The Cortland Fire Department.

On December 26, Cortland Fire was called to a dog bite incident in the city’s sixth ward. A distraught parent directed crews to a young victim with facial trauma, who was quickly prepared for medical transport. One firefighter, also currently in paramedic class, recognized the severity of the injuries and traveled with the patient to Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse.

Cortland Deputy Fire Chief Derek Reynolds said the firefighter kept the patient calm, provided necessary medical interventions, and did not leave the victim’s side until doctors took over.

Deputy Chief Reynolds said the call highlights the value of the medical skill training firefighters receive and pointed to the impact of the department’s 2023 FEMA SAFER grant, which funded NYS Paramedic Certification training for five Cortland firefighters.