Historic Appointment for FDNY Leadership
In a significant move for New York City's emergency services, Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has announced the appointment of Lillian Bonsignore as the next commissioner of the Fire Department of New York. This decision establishes Bonsignore as the second woman and first openly gay individual to lead the FDNY.
Press Conference Announcement
Mamdani revealed his selection during a Tuesday afternoon press conference held in Queens. He emphasized Bonsignore's qualifications, stating, "[The FDNY] deserves a leader who cares about their work, because she did it herself." He further expressed his confidence by adding, "She is the kind of leader I'm so proud to have in my administration."
In response, Bonsignore outlined her priorities, declaring, "My goal is to ensure that every member of [the FDNY] has the resources and environment they need to perform their role safely and effectively."
Distinguished Career and Leadership
Bonsignore's connection to the FDNY began in 1991 when she joined as an emergency medical technician. She dedicated 31 years to the department before retiring in 2022. Her career reached a milestone in 2019 when she was promoted to chief of the FDNY's Emergency Medical Services division. This role made her the first woman to lead the division and the first uniformed woman to achieve the rank of four-star chief within the department.
Her service includes responding to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and leading the EMS division through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Reflecting on her 2019 promotion, Bonsignore once remarked, "It's kind of odd that the thing I get celebrated for the most — people are always like, 'Wow, you're a woman and you're gay' — are the two things I put the least work into."
Praise and Predecessor
Mamdani highlighted her crisis management skills, noting in a statement, "Bonsignore's calm, decisive leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic — when EMS professionals were more vital than ever — is exactly the kind of leadership our city needs in moments of uncertainty."
The first woman to serve as FDNY commissioner was Laura Kavanagh, appointed by Mayor Eric Adams in 2022. Kavanagh, who resigned in 2024, praised Bonsignore, saying she is "one of the strongest leaders I have ever worked alongside. Nobody knows the FDNY and what the department means to our city better than Chief Bonsignore. I saw firsthand Chief Bonsignore's lifelong dedication to the FDNY, including her work on the front lines of COVID and in advocating for a long-overdue EMS pay raises."
Transition and Broader Context
Until Mamdani is officially sworn in on January 1, First Deputy Commissioner Mark Guerra will serve as the acting FDNY commissioner. With Jessica Tisch expected to remain as police commissioner, this appointment will mark the first time in the city's history that women simultaneously lead both the fire and police departments.
