Mayor Swears in New FDNY Chief
On Tuesday, Mayor Zoran Mamdani officiated the swearing-in of the new fire chief amidst a crowd of supportive New Yorkers.
The event took place at FDNY headquarters in Brooklyn, making Lilian Bonsignore, aged 56, the second woman and the first openly gay individual to head the department.
“I chose Lilian for this position due to her extensive experience, her innovative ideas for the future of the FDNY, and the deep respect she holds for this role and all who serve in it,” Mamdani enthusiastically expressed regarding his choice.
Bonsignore is a seasoned FDNY veteran with 31 years of experience, having retired in 2022. She served as Chief EMT for three years before her retirement and took on the role of a senior advisor at Cambridge Consulting Group prior to her appointment. She achieved a significant milestone by becoming the highest-ranking female officer among paramedics and was the first to reach the four-star rank.
Reflecting on her new responsibilities, Bonsignore shared her commitment to standing firm between the community and impending crises alongside Mamdani and his wife of over 25 years, Kim. “My guiding principle will serve as the standard for measuring my tenure,” she declared to her colleagues. Following her oath, the room erupted in applause.
Bonsignore remarked, “The commissioner’s primary duty is not just to lead but to protect and empower those combating challenges.”
She will take the reins immediately, stepping into the role after just under two weeks, succeeding Robert Tucker, and replacing Mark Guerra, who was appointed by Eric Adams.
Some individuals have criticized Bonsignore’s appointment due to her perceived lack of firefighting experience. “It’s ridiculous,” commented one observer. “EMTs have no understanding of what firefighters do; they can’t extinguish a fire.”
Elon Musk also voiced concerns. Last month, he responded to a clip featuring Bonsignore, who stated that she had never fought a fire, on social media platform X, saying, “People are going to die because of this.” He continued, emphasizing that “proven experience is crucial when lives are at stake.”
