NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani to Appoint Lillian Bonsignore as FDNY Commissioner

NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani to Appoint Lillian Bonsignore as FDNY Commissioner

Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani announced plans to name Lillian Bonsignore as the new Fire Department of New York (FDNY) commissioner. Bonsignore, a retired 31-year veteran of FDNY, will become the first openly gay and the second woman to hold the position.

Bonsignore retired from the FDNY in 2022 after serving as Chief of EMS Services from 2016 to 2022. She will oversee approximately 11,000 firefighters, 4,500 EMTs, and over 2,000 civilian employees starting after Mamdani’s inauguration on January 1.

Mamdani praised Bonsignore’s extensive experience and leadership at a news conference held at Fort Totten Park, home of the FDNY and EMS training academy. He highlighted her frontline roles during major crises such as 9/11 and the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The FDNY heroes serve every corner of our city every day,” Mamdani said. “Lillian is uniquely qualified because she lived this work herself and will tirelessly empower the department to be the best in the world.” He noted that her record of dedication and service “speaks for itself.”

Bonsignore’s appointment follows her own historic breakthrough in 2019 when she became the first openly gay Chief of EMS for FDNY. Her elevation to commissioner marks another milestone in the department’s history, reflecting its growing diversity.

On the same day, outgoing Mayor Eric Adams named First Deputy Commissioner Mark Guerra as the interim FDNY commissioner. Guerra will hold the role until Bonsignore officially assumes leadership in January. He replaces Robert Tucker, the previous commissioner who resigned after Mamdani’s election.

This leadership change signals a shift in FDNY management with a focus on experience, representation, and strong frontline knowledge. Bonsignore’s deep understanding of emergency response and department operations positions her to lead the FDNY into a new era.

Stay connected with CBS News New York for ongoing updates about this appointment and FDNY developments under the new mayoral administration.