Glen Head firefighter named F.A.S.N.Y. director

Robert Ottaviano has been serving the Glen Head community for nearly 30 years as a volunteer firefighter. The former president of the department has advanced to the state level, being elected director of the Firefighters Association of the State of New York for the second time.

Growing up in East Northport, Ottaviano said was interested in serving the community since he was a teenager. However, when school and work interfered, Ottaviano put on his interest on hold until his 30s when he would join the Glen Head Fire Department.

“I wanted to join the Commack Fire Department when I was 18 with a buddy of mine, but with school and work getting in the way, I couldn’t find the time to do it,” Ottaviano said. “I ended up moving and moving to New York City for 15 years and when I finally came back to the island in my 30’s, I decided to see if I could help the community and become a volunteer fireman.”

Throughout his time as a volunteer firefighter, Ottaviano said he explored other options to continue helping his community. He became president of the Fifth Battalion Softball League, as well as president of the Nassau County Volunteer Fireman’s Association. From there Ottaviano would join the Southern New York Firefighters Association where he would once again rise in the rankings and become president.

Throughout his time as president in those organizations, many encouraged Ottaviano to become a member of the New York State Firefighters Association. After a few months he received a call to become director, and he accepted.

“I became president of the fifth battalion softball league and through that, became president of the Nassau County Volunteer Fireman’s association from there I became a part of the Southern New York Firefighter’s Association,” Ottaviano said. “I met a lot of people along the way who introduced me to the Firefighters Association of the State of New York then, the Nassau County steering committee called me and asked me if I would become a director.”
The Firefighters Association of the State of New York, founded in 1872, represents more than 90,000 volunteer firefighters statewide. It advocates for legislation, training programs, and benefits to ensure the safety and rights of firefighters across the state.

Now coming up on 30 years of service as a volunteer firefighter, Ottaviano will once again serve as director of the association after taking a five-year break. He plans to continue the initiatives from his last run as director including fighting for the rights of Volunteers Firefighters across New York state.

“Volunteer firefighting is a very tough thing to do, it can be a very rewarding thing, but it also can be very detrimental.” Ottaviano said. “I enjoy fighting for the rights and benefits of volunteer firefighters.”