Mamdani names first openly gay fire commissioner with three decades of emergency service experience
On January 6, 2026, Mayor Zohran Mamdani swore in Lillian Bonsignore as the 37th commissioner of the New York City Fire Department. The appointment represents a historic moment for the FDNY and reflects the Mamdani administration’s recognition that emergency medical services, not traditional firefighting, constitutes the overwhelming majority of the department’s work. Bonsignore becomes just the second female fire commissioner and the first openly gay fire commissioner in the department’s 156-year history. Her three-decade career in emergency medical services brings expertise directly aligned with contemporary fire department operations.
Bonsignore’s Career in EMS
Bonsignore spent more than thirty years serving as an emergency medical technician and leader within the EMS division of the New York City Fire Department. She rose through the ranks over a decades-long career, ultimately serving as chief of the EMS division before retiring in 2022. Her experience encompasses the full spectrum of emergency medical response in New York City, from initial response training to system management. EMS workers have long advocated for greater representation in fire department leadership, arguing that people with direct emergency medical experience better understand the department’s actual operational needs. Bonsignore’s appointment directly responds to this advocacy.
The Shift From Firefighting to Medical Response
Modern fire departments spend vastly more time responding to medical emergencies than to fires. The FDNY runs approximately seven thousand ambulances annually and responds to roughly one million EMS calls per year. By contrast, actual fire calls have declined significantly as structural fire safety has improved. EMS calls now vastly outnumber fire calls. Yet traditionally, fire department leadership came from the firefighting side of operations. Bonsignore’s appointment signals recognition that EMS expertise should shape department direction.
EMS Worker Pay Parity Campaign
EMS workers have fought for years to achieve pay parity with other first responders, particularly police officers. EMS workers typically earn less than police and corrections officers despite equivalent danger and training requirements. The EMS field has experienced chronic staffing shortages and retention challenges directly linked to pay disparities. EMS advocacy groups welcomed Bonsignore’s appointment as creating an advocate within fire department leadership for their longtime demands.
Mamdani’s Statement on the Appointment
Mamdani expressed his confidence in Bonsignore’s leadership: I have appointed Lillian Bonsignore to this role for her wealth of experience and vision for how to lead the FDNY, as well as for the respect she holds for this work and all those who do it. There will certainly be difficult moments to come where the brave men and women of the FDNY put their lives on the line for New Yorkers. But they will be able to turn to their Commissioner and know that they are led by someone who knows this work, cares about this work, and will stop at nothing to keep our City safe. Mamdani’s emphasis on Bonsignore’s personal experience with emergency work and her demonstrated care for FDNY personnel contrasted with previous appointments based primarily on political connections or crime-fighting backgrounds.
Bonsignore’s Vision for the Department
In accepting her commission, Bonsignore articulated a philosophy grounded in support for department personnel: A Commissioner’s greatest duty isn’t to command the fire, but to protect and empower the hands that fight it. This is a quote often used in the fire service that I wholeheartedly believe in. I am honored to return to the Fire Department as its Commissioner. I have spent my life loving the FDNY and it is an unparalleled honor to serve in this manner. I promise to be a leader for every member of this Department, committed to listening, supporting and advocating for the great men and women who selflessly give their time to protecting our City. Her statement emphasized listening to department personnel and advocating for their needs and safety.
Historic Significance of the Appointment
Bonsignore’s appointment as the first openly gay fire commissioner represents progress on LGBTQ inclusion in city government and uniformed services. For decades, fire and police departments were understood as environments where LGBTQ workers remained closeted. Bonsignore’s open identification and appointment at the highest leadership level signals changed culture within these institutions. This matters particularly for LGBTQ youth considering careers in uniformed services and for existing LGBTQ employees seeking visible role models in leadership.
The Second Female Fire Commissioner
Bonsignore becomes only the second woman to lead the FDNY. The first female fire commissioner, Laura Kavanagh, served under Mayor Bill de Blasio from 2020 to 2022. The rarity of women in fire department leadership reflects historical gender barriers within firefighting. Women have been permitted to serve as firefighters only since 1982. Barriers to advancement have meant that women remain underrepresented in senior positions despite decades of service by qualified women officers. Bonsignore’s appointment continues the trend toward greater gender diversity in fire department leadership.
Challenges Ahead for the FDNY
Bonsignore assumes leadership at a moment when the FDNY faces multiple challenges. The department struggles with staffing shortages, aging infrastructure, and the opioid crisis which drives increasing overdose calls. EMS response times have lengthened due to increased call volume. The department must balance traditional firefighting preparedness with expanding EMS capacity. These operational challenges will test Bonsignore’s management experience and vision.
Transition From Retirement
Bonsignore had retired from the FDNY in 2022, suggesting she had concluded her active service career. Returning to the department in a leadership role represents a significant life change. Whether she can maintain her distance from internal politics and factions within the department while advancing structural reforms remains to be seen. Her background outside the department for several years may provide useful perspective unburdened by entrenched institutional relationships.
Authority Links for FDNY and Emergency Services Information
For information about the New York City Fire Department, visit the official FDNY website. Details about fire and EMS careers appear at FDNY Careers page. Information about emergency medical services and EMS workers is available at the International Association of Fire Fighters. Public health data on emergency response appears at the Centers for Disease Control.
