Dix Hills Fire Chief Receives Prestigious National Award

Firehouse Expo and the Fire News organizations have recognized Dix Hills Fire Department Chief Robert Fling with the 2015 Outstanding Leadership Award. The prestigious national award recognizes the management and leadership skills of a Fire Chief, and the impact those skills have made within their department. The presentation took place at Firehouse Expo in the Baltimore Convention Center.

“Our department is extremely proud of him.” stated Bob Commisso, Chairman of the Board of Fire Commissioners. “Personally it’s an honor serving with and learning from Chief Fling. His outstanding leadership skills guide and develop our membership, ensuring the most professional fire and emergency medical services possible for our community.”

A fourth generation firefighter and a 19-year department member, Chief Fling holds several fire service certificates, is a New York State certified Emergency Medical Technician and is an active member of the Suffolk County Fire Chiefs Council, Town of Huntington Fire Chiefs Council, International Association of Fire Chiefs, National Fire Protection Association and the Firemen’s Association of State of New York.

Chief Fling currently serves as Chief of Department and Chief of Training. He is also a contributor to FirefighterToolbox.com, Fire Engineering, as well as the founder and President of “Facepiece On”, an organization dedicated to teaching the fire service about the dangers of breathing smoke on today’s fireground. Chief Fling is a technical specialist with “Project Kill The Flashover” and sits on the advisory board for “The First Twenty”, an organization dedicated to improving the health and fitness of America’s firefighters.

Professionally, Chief Fling is a 20+ year veteran of the advertising industry, and manages digital as well as print advertising for some of Long Island’s biggest brands. A lifelong Dix Hills resident, he is married to his wife Liz and has two daughters, Courtney and Sara.

Pictured at the award presentation, from left are: Tim Edwards, Executive Editor of Fire News, Tim Sendelbach, Editor-In-Chief of Firehouse Magazine, Dix Hills Fire Chief Robert Fling, and Frank Trotta, Publisher of Fire News.

Story by Steve Silverman, Photo Courtesy of Fire News,