Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani to name Lillian Bonsignore, retired EMS chief, next FDNY fire commissioner
NEW YORK (WABC) — New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has chosen the city’s next fire commissioner.
Lillian Bonsignore, a well-respected retired EMS chief, will be the next fire commissioner.
Bonsignore will be the second female fire commissioner, behind Laura Kavanagh.
The mayor-elect will make the announcement at 1 p.m. at Fort Totten in Queens, home of the FDNY EMS Academy.
Bonsignore was appointed Chief of EMS Academy at Fort Totten in 2016, and served as Chief of EMS Operations from 2019-2020.
Bonsignore is a 31-year FDNY veteran who retired in 2022. She is considered a no-nonsense leader and respected within FDNY EMS, with a similar personality to Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who is staying on for the Mamdani administration.
Before Mamdani takes office however, First Deputy Commissioner Mark Guerra is the acting fire commissioner.
Mayor Eric Adams’ office will hold a formal swearing in for Guerra at Gracie Mansion at 1 p.m.
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