Lillian Bonsignore

Lillian Bonsignore ( ; born ) is an American emergency medical services administrator serving as New York City Fire Commissioner since 2026. A 31-year veteran of the department, she was the chief of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) from 2019 to 2022. Bonsignore is the first openly gay person and the first uniformed woman to serve as FDNY commissioner.

Early life and education Bonsignore was born in and raised in the Bronx. She was a single mother when she began her career in emergency medical services in 1991. She served as deputy assistant chief, a role in which she managed EMS training and oversaw the certification of more than 13,000 EMTs. She was appointed to this role shortly before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City. Bonsignore retired from the FDNY in December 2022 after 31 years of service.

FDNY Commissioner In December 2025, New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani announced Bonsignore as his choice for FDNY Commissioner, with her term set to begin following his inauguration on January 1, 2026. She is the second woman to lead the FDNY and the first uniformed woman to hold the position. Some commentators stated that her selection signaled a commitment to addressing pay parity for EMTs. Bonsignore was sworn in as commissioner by Mayor Mamdani on January 6, 2026.

Personal life Bonsignore is a lesbian. She has two children and is married to her wife Kim. Regarding her status as a trailblazer, she has remarked that being a woman and being gay are the "two things I put the least work into."