Summary
New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has chosen Lillian Bonsignore as the next leader of the Fire Department of New York (FDNY). Bonsignore, a retired FDNY member, has over 30 years of service and will be the first openly gay commissioner of the department.
Key Facts
- Zohran Mamdani, the incoming Mayor of New York City, appointed Lillian Bonsignore as the FDNY commissioner.
- Bonsignore has a 31-year career with the FDNY, starting as an emergency medical technician in 1991.
- She was the first woman to lead the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) division and the first uniformed woman to become a four-star chief.
- Bonsignore managed the department through the COVID-19 pandemic.
- She is originally from the Bronx and responded to the 9/11 attacks.
- Bonsignore will be the FDNY's first openly gay commissioner.
- Until Mamdani takes office, Mark Guerra will be the acting fire commissioner.
- Her appointment, along with Jessica Tisch at the NYPD, means two women will simultaneously lead the city's Fire and Police Departments.
