First out gay chief takes over fire department amid EMS crisis
Lillian Bonsignore, retired FDNY EMS chief, becomes fire commissioner under Mamdani, announced December 23, 2025. She is the first out gay fire commissioner and just the second woman to hold the position. Her appointment signals the administration’s commitment to LGBTQ inclusion in the fire service and recognition of EMS as central to firefighting in the modern city.
EMS Background and Career
Bonsignore retired from the FDNY in 2022 after a decadeslong career as an emergency medical technician. She rose through EMS ranks to become chief of the EMS division, overseeing the ambulance and emergency response services that handle the vast majority of FDNY calls. Most FDNY emergency responses are medical rather than fire-related, yet EMS has historically received less resources and recognition than the fire suppression side of the department. Bonsignore’s appointment acknowledges this reality.
EMS Pay Equity Fight
The appointment was welcomed by EMS workers who have long fought for pay parity with other first responders. FDNY paramedics earn significantly less than NYPD officers despite comparable work, risk, and responsibility. EMS workers have organized, grieved, and publicized the disparity. Bonsignore’s background suggests sympathy to their cause and potential for addressing these longstanding inequities.
Staffing and Burnout Crisis
FDNY EMS faces persistent staffing shortages and worker burnout. Paramedics and emergency medical technicians work long hours managing medical crises, overdose emergencies, mental health calls, and trauma. The job is emotionally and physically taxing. Bonsignore will need to address staffing levels, working conditions, and career development to reduce burnout and turnover.
LGBTQ Inclusion in Paramilitary Service
The FDNY, like police and military services, has historically been hostile to LGBTQ members. Bonsignore’s appointment as openly gay commissioner sends a signal about inclusion and organizational culture change. Whether this translates into actual changes in department climate and policies remains to be seen.
Fire Suppression and Safety Questions
Beyond EMS issues, Bonsignore takes over fire suppression operations in a city facing housing density and fire risk increases. Budget constraints limit resources for fire prevention and firefighting capacity. The commissioner must balance these operational demands with commitments to EMS equity and LGBTQ inclusion. For FDNY information, see the Fire Department of New York website. Read about EMS issues at EMS Strong. Learn about first responder equity via NYCLU reports. Track labor negotiations at International Association of Fire Fighters.
