NY Fire Department appoints first female and first openly LGBTQ chief of EMS

The New York Fire Department (FDNY) made history by hiring Lillian Bonsignore as chief, the first woman to head the Emergency Medical Services. Bonsignore is openly LGBTQ, and is the first openly LGBTQ four-star chief in the history of the FDNY.

Bonsignore was sworn in Tuesday with her wife by her side. “Today, I proudly become someone else’s possibility. Today, I am happy to say those possibilities are realities at the FDNY,” Bonsignore said, according to New York’s CBS affiliate.

“Some day in our world, we will not have to talk about the fact that I am a woman, or about being openly gay when I received a promotion like this. But today is not that day. Today is about possibilities. Today I’m standing here as the first woman to ever become the Chief of EMS, the first woman to ever reach four stars in the FDNY uniform ranks, and the highest-ranking officer to proudly announce that I am a member of the LGBT community,”

She is a 28-year veteran and was a first responder during 9/11. Most recently, she served as chief of EMS academy. With her predecessor retiring, Commissioner Daniel Nigro appointed her to the new role, according to CBS.

“Lillian Bonsignore is a dedicated and proven manager who has ensured the next generation of EMTs and Paramedics are trained and equipped to provide the highest level of pre-hospital medical care,” said Fire Commissioner Nigro.

Chief Bonsignore became an EMT in New York City in 1991. After the September 11 terror attacks, she responded to the World Trade Center in a convoy of EMS members, and spent many days taking part in the rescue and recovery efforts.

She became a Lieutenant in 2005, a Captain in 2010 and was promoted to Deputy Chief in the EMS Academy in 2013.

“Bonsignore, a mother of two daughters, said she hopes to serve as a role model to other mothers who have struggled ‘to make it day to day,’ reported The Hill.

"It’s my position to do the same for all those coming behind me — men and women, gay or straight," she said. “I want them to know that, yes, it is possible for you to be a young mother in the Bronx, struggling to make it day to day, and still be possible for you to get to the point where you are running one of the biggest and most recognized EMS systems in the world.”

Copyright The Gayly – May 8, 2019 @ 12:45 p.m. CDT