Career
Bonsignore joined the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) in 1991. [1] During the September 11 attacks,she served as a first responder,deploying from Fort Totten in Queens to the World Trade Center. [2]
Bonsignore rose through the ranks of the EMS division. She was promoted to lieutenant in 2002,captain in 2005,and deputy chief in 2009. [2] In 2016,she was appointed chief of the EMS Academy at Fort Totten. [3] She served as deputy assistant chief,a role in which she managed EMS training and oversaw the certification of more than 13,000 EMTs. [2]
In May 2019,Bonsignore was named chief of the FDNY's Emergency Medical Services division. [1] This appointment made her the first woman to head the division and the first uniformed woman to achieve the rank of four-star chief within the department. [1] [4] She was appointed to this role shortly before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City. [1] [5] Bonsignore retired from the FDNY in December 2022 after 31 years of service. [1] [6]
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. [2] [7] Her appointment marks her as the second woman to lead the FDNY and the first uniformed woman to hold the position. [2] She is the first openly gay person to be named to the post. [1] The announcement took place at a press conference in Queens. [1]
Bonsignore's appointment received endorsements from the unions representing firefighters,fire officers,and medics. [8] Commentators have viewed her selection as a commitment to addressing pay parity for EMTs,a long-standing issue within the department. [2] The appointment also drew criticism from Elon Musk,who stated on social media that "people will die" as a result of the decision. [8]
Following Mamdani's announcement,outgoing mayor Eric Adams appointed interim commissioner Mark Guerra to serve as commissioner for the final eight days of his term,prior to Bonsignore taking office. [9] Bonsignore was sworn in as commissioner by Mayor Mamdani on January 6,2026. [10]
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