New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has announced the appointment of Lillian Bonsignore as the next commissioner of the New York City Fire Department (FDNY). Bonsignore, a distinguished former emergency medical services chief, will make history as the second woman to lead the department and, crucially, the first uniformed woman to hold this top leadership position. Her selection signals a significant and potentially transformative shift in the command structure of one of the nation’s largest and most critical municipal emergency services.
Mamdani lauded Bonsignore’s extensive experience, particularly her leadership of the FDNY’s EMS bureau during the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. In a statement released Tuesday, the mayor-elect emphasized her “calm, decisive leadership” during a period when emergency medical professionals were more vital than ever, facing immense pressure and demand. This high-profile appointment is widely interpreted as a commitment to addressing long-standing departmental issues, including the persistent pay disparity faced by the city’s dedicated EMTs.
Bonsignore’s career within the FDNY spans over three decades, commencing as an Emergency Medical Technician in 1991. A native of the Bronx and a single mother at the time of her initial enlistment, she demonstrated unwavering dedication and courage throughout her service, notably responding to the devastating September 11, 2001, terror attacks at the World Trade Center. Her ascent through the demanding ranks was steady and merited, earning her promotions to lieutenant in 2002, captain in 2005, and deputy chief by 2009.
In 2019, Bonsignore achieved a significant milestone, breaking barriers by becoming the first woman to lead the entire EMS bureau, a critical division comprising thousands of paramedics and EMTs essential to the city’s daily operations. During her tenure, she also oversaw the vital EMS training as deputy assistant chief, a role that involved the rigorous certification of more than 13,000 emergency medical professionals. Bonsignore is now coming out of retirement, having stepped down in 2022, to accept this pivotal leadership role in Mayor-elect Mamdani’s incoming administration.
The appointment provides a notable contrast and continuity following the tenure of Laura Kavanagh, who in 2022 became the city’s first woman to serve as FDNY commissioner, albeit in a civilian capacity. Kavanagh, who resigned earlier in 2024, expressed strong support for Bonsignore’s selection, describing her as “one of the strongest leaders I have ever worked alongside.” Kavanagh further highlighted Bonsignore’s profound understanding of the department and her consistent advocacy for “long-overdue EMS pay raises,” acknowledging the inherent complexities faced by pioneering women in positions of power.
The issue of pay parity for EMS workers remains a deeply entrenched and critical challenge for the FDNY. Historically, EMTs have received significantly lower salaries compared to their counterparts in the police and fire services, a disparity that has contributed to a concerning exodus of skilled first responders. This ongoing challenge has raised serious concerns about potential staffing shortages and their impact on emergency response times across the sprawling metropolis.
Former Commissioner Robert Tucker, who recently concluded his tenure, underscored the urgency of this issue in a recent New York Post op-ed, warning that the department faces “worsening staffing shortages and slowing response times” if the current trajectory continues. Bonsignore’s extensive history as an EMT leader and her consistent advocacy for improved compensation for her colleagues strongly suggest her appointment could signal a renewed and focused effort to resolve these critical disparities, potentially bringing a unique perspective to the negotiating table.
Her personal journey, marked by resilience, dedicated service, and professional achievement, resonates deeply within the department and among the city’s emergency personnel. Bonsignore, known for her candidness, once humorously remarked in a 2019 interview about her groundbreaking career that her most celebrated attributes – being a woman and being gay – were “the two things I put the least work into.” This statement reflects her focus on competence and service above personal identity, while still acknowledging her trailblazing status.
Beyond the significant FDNY appointment, Mayor-elect Mamdani also confirmed the retention of Javier Lojan as interim commissioner for the Department of Sanitation and Zachary Iscol as interim commissioner for New York City Emergency Management. These decisions ensure crucial continuity in essential municipal services, particularly as the city transitions into the colder winter months and the snow season, while the broader search for permanent leadership continues for these departments.
