Mamdani's new lesbian FDNY fire chief never worked as a firefighter

Zohran Mamdani's pick to lead the Fire Department of New York City (FDNY) has never been a firefighter. Lillian Bonsignore, who has previously served as the EMS chief for the FDNY, will also be the first person to lead the department who is also openly gay.

Bonsignore is a veteran EMS employee of the FDNY but has never served as a firefighter herself.

Bonsignore said that she "knows the job" and "knows what the firefighters need" despite being primarily in the EMS role. She retired in 2022 and will be the second woman to serve as the FDNY commissioner under Mamdani. She is set to assume the role when Mamdani steps into office in January.

"I know the job," she said. "I know the what the firefighters need, and I can translate that to this administration who's willing to listen. I know what EMS needs, I've been EMS for 30 plus years."

"I am honored, so honored, and humbled to stand before you as the new fire commissioner," Bonsignore told reporters on Tuesday. "This appointment represents a significant responsibility, one I accept with humility, dedication, and a deep sense of commitment to the city and its people."

Bonsignore is set to replace Mark Guerra, who was appointed by New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Guerra will succeed FDNY commissioner Robert Tucker, who resigned the day that Mamdani was elected. However, the time Guerra has had on the job will have been rather short.

“There are some young LGBTQ members that maybe don’t see this as a possibility for them and I want them to know that there’s nothing that can stop them from finding success," Bonsignore said of the appointment. Some have been critical of Bonsignore’s appointment as well as her comment, saying that she was hired only for DEI purposes.