Dix Hills Fire Chief Earns Prestigious National Award

Dix Hills Fire Department Chief Robert Fling was the recipient of a prestigious national award by Firehouse Expo and the Fire News organizations.

Fling, a lifelong Dix Hills resident, received the 2015 Outstanding Leadership Award, which recognized his management and leadership skills of a Fire Chief and how those skills have impacted his department.

“Our department is extremely proud of him,” said 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.”

The presentation was held at Firehouse Expo in the Baltimore Convention Center.

Fling is heavily involved in the firefighter community. He is a fourth generation firefighter, a 19-year department member, holds several fire service certificates, is a New York State certified Emergency Medical Technician and is an active member of several fire councils, including 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.

Fling currently serves as Chief of Department and Chief of Training and is a contributor to FirefighterToolbox.com and Fire Engineering. He is 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, serves as 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.

When he’s not working alongside the firefighting community, Fling works professionally in the advertising industry. He has been working in advertising for over 20 years and manages digital and print advertising for some of Long Island’s biggest brands.

Fling is married to his wife Liz and has two daughters, Courtney and Sara.

Photo courtesy of Fire News

Photo: (l-r) Executive editor of Fire News Tim Edwards, editor-in-chief of Firehouse Magazine Tim Sendelbach, Dix Hills Fire Chief Robert Fling and publisher of Fire News Frank Trotta.