...
By Gabe Whisnant
News Editor
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has appointed retired Fire Department of New York veteran Lillian Bonsignore as the city’s next FDNY commissioner.
Why It Matters
The New York City Fire Commissioner leads the Fire Department of New York (FDNY), the nation’s largest municipal fire service, responsible for fire suppression, emergency medical services, rescue operations and fire prevention across all five boroughs. The commissioner oversees tens of thousands of uniformed and civilian personnel, a vast fleet of apparatus, and one of the busiest emergency response systems in the world.
Read More on News
...
The FDNY operates within the city’s executive branch and coordinates with city, state and federal agencies on public safety, disaster response, training and preparedness. The commissioner sets strategic policy, manages budgets and resources, and represents the department in City Hall and the public.
Lillian Bonsignore: What to Know
Bonsignore is a 31-year FDNY veteran who began her career as an emergency medical technician in 1991. Over three decades, she rose through the ranks and in 2019 was named chief of the FDNY’s Emergency Medical Services division. In that role, she became the first woman to lead EMS and the first uniformed woman to achieve a four-star chief rank in department history.
As EMS chief, Bonsignore oversaw tens of thousands of uniformed and civilian employees and led the department through the COVID-19 pandemic. She retired as a four-star chief from the FDNY in 2022. Born and raised in the Bronx, Bonsignore also responded in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Bonsignore will be FDNY's first openly gay commissioner.
What People Are Saying
Mamdani said during Tuesday's announcement in Queens, “[The FDNY] deserves a leader who cares about their work, because she did it herself. She is the kind of leader I’m so proud to have in my administration.”
Bonsignore said during Tuesday's announcement, “My goal is to ensure that every member of [the FDNY] has the resources and environment they need to perform their role safely and effectively."
What Happens Next
Before Mamdani takes office Jan. 1, Mayor Eric Adams has named Mark Guerra to serve as acting fire commissioner. With NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch expected to remain in her post, the appointments mark the second time women will simultaneously head both the Fire Department and the Police Department in New York City.
Updates: 12/23/25, 6:41 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines