Chief of EMS Lillian Bonsignore Retires After Three Decades of Service

Today, FDNY Chief of EMS Operations Lillian Bonsignore is retiring after over three decades serving the citizens of the City of New York.

Chief Bonsignore was appointed as a New York City EMT in 1991 and initially assigned to EMS Station 14 at Lincoln Hospital in the South Bronx. Chief Bonsignore was an instructor in the CFR program during the terror attacks on September 11th, and responded from Fort Totten in a convoy of EMS members to the World Trade Center. She spent many days taking part in our rescue and recovery efforts. She moved up the ranks becoming a Lieutenant in 2005, serving in the South Bronx, later becoming a paramedic in 2007. After being promoted to Captain in 2010, she served as Station Commander of two EMS Stations in Brooklyn. She was promoted to Deputy Chief in the EMS Academy in 2013.

She was appointed Chief of EMS Academy at Fort Totten in 2016, where she was responsible for the continuing education and EMS recertification of nearly 13,000 members of the FDNY. In addition, Chief Bonsignore was responsible for all FDNY EMS Officer training and commanded the FDNY EMS Probationary School. Chief Bonsignore then was appointed to Chief of EMS Operations in 2019, where she helped to lead the Department through the COVID-19 Pandemic. The FDNY wishes Chief Bonsignore a happy and healthy retirement.

View video highlights from the celebration here.