Breaking: Mamdani Names Lillian Bonsignore FDNY Commissioner; Guerra to Lead as Interim
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New York City lawmakers received a landmark announcement on Tuesday as Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani selected Lillian Bonsignore to head the Fire Department of New York (FDNY). Bonsignore’s appointment would make her the department’s first openly gay commissioner and the second woman to hold the post,taking the helm after Mamdani’s inauguration.
With 31 years of service and a 2022 retirement in her wake, Bonsignore is expected to guide a vast public-safety operation.The FDNY currently employs more then 11,000 firefighters, about 4,500 emergency medical technicians, and upwards of 2,000 civilian staff, all under her forthcoming leadership. She will assume the role once Mamdani takes office on Jan. 1.
“It is a profound honor to become fire commissioner,” Bonsignore said in remarks at the EMS training academy, underscoring the weight of the position and her commitment to the city’s safety and well-being.
“Her track record speaks volumes.” Mamdani lauded Bonsignore for three decades of service, including frontline leadership during pivotal moments such as the september 11 attacks and the COVID-19 pandemic. He stressed that her experience imbues the FDNY with a depth of understanding about every facet of the department’s work.
To ensure a smooth transition, Mamdani said he would retain Zach Iscol, head of the City’s Department of Emergency Management, and Javier Lojan, the Sanitation Commissioner, on an interim basis to maintain continuity across city services.
“Lillian’s leadership will be felt not only as we push to lower response times and save more lives, but as we reaffirm to New Yorkers that the FDNY is their trusted partner in times of need,” Mamdani added.He hailed Bonsignore as a Brooklyn-born leader whose excellence stands out even in a city famed for its resilience.
A Proven Record of Public service
Bonsignore previously served as the FDNY’s Chief of EMS Services, a role she held through the demanding period of the global pandemic. She described the workforce as a community defined by courage, resilience, and sacrifice, emphasizing that the department’s impact goes beyond emergency response to its role in the city’s fabric of daily life.
In her remarks, she highlighted a mission to foster a culture of support, innovation, and continuous improvement. She pledged to ensure every member has the resources and habitat needed to perform safely and effectively, and she signaled a commitment to constructive collaboration with city leaders and other agencies to advance safety and efficiency for all New Yorkers.
She also marked the upcoming 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks and said the department would honor those lost while reaffirming a steadfast commitment to never forget.
Interim Leadership Ahead
On the same day, outgoing Mayor Eric Adams announced that First Deputy Commissioner Mark Guerra will serve as fire commissioner on an interim basis until Bonsignore takes over. Guerra joined the FDNY in 1988 and has held multiple leadership roles, including a stint as executive officer to a former FDNY commissioner. He will replace Robert Tucker, who resigned after Mamdani’s election victory.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| New appointee | Lillian Bonsignore, 31-year FDNY veteran |
| Firsts | First openly gay FDNY commissioner; second woman to lead the FDNY |
| Current size of FDNY | 11,000 firefighters; 4,500 emts; 2,000+ civilian staff |
| Inauguration timing | To assume command after Mamdani’s Jan. 1, 2025, oath |
| Interim continuity | Zach Iscol (Emergency Management), Javier Lojan (Sanitation) retained in interim posts |
| Interim commissioner | Mark Guerra to lead FDNY for rest of 2025 |
The shift signals a focus on a leadership style grounded in EMS operations and frontline experience, with an emphasis on collaboration across city agencies to strengthen safety, response times, and resilience for New yorkers.
Readers: what priorities should Bonsignore pursue first to modernize FDNY operations? How can the department better align EMS, firefighting, and civilian roles to serve the public more effectively?
For more context on the FDNY and related citywide services, you can explore official resources from the department and the city’s government sites.
Share yoru thoughts on this developing leadership change and its potential impact on New York City’s emergency response network.
Related reading: FDNY Official Site • NYC Official Website
Reporting by a team of editors and contributors. This is a developing story with ongoing updates as the transition proceeds.
What’s your take on Bonsignore’s historic appointment? Tell us in the comments or join the discussion by sharing this breaking news.
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