Lillian Bonsignore Tapped as First Openly Gay FDNY Commissioner by Mayor-elect Mamdani

Historic Appointment for FDNY

• 🎯 Lillian Bonsignore has been selected by Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani to be the next FDNY Commissioner.
• 🏳️‍🌈 Bonsignore will make history as the first openly gay person to lead the department.
• 👩‍🚒 She is also the second woman to hold the position, following Laura Kavanagh.

Bonsignore's Extensive Experience

• ⚡ With 31 years of service in the FDNY, Bonsignore brings a wealth of experience.
• 🚑 She previously served as the chief of EMS operations and led during the 9/11 attacks and the COVID-19 pandemic.
• 🏥 In 2019, she became the first woman to lead the department's EMS bureau.

Vision for the FDNY

• 🤝 Bonsignore aims to foster equity and fairness within the department.
• 💖 She emphasized a commitment to "never forget" those lost on 9/11 and to honor their lives.
• 🏥 A key priority is to improve partnerships with emergency rooms to ensure EMS personnel can respond to more calls.

Transition and Leadership

• 🏢 Bonsignore will oversee a department of approximately 11,000 uniformed firefighters, 4,500 EMTs, and 2,000 civilian employees.
• 🛡️ Before Mamdani takes office, First Deputy Commissioner Mark Guerrero will serve as acting fire commissioner.
• 🏛️ The appointment was announced at the FDNY EMS training facility in Queens.