In a major shake-up at New York City Hall, Mayor Mamdani officially swears in Lillian Bonsignore as the new FDNY Commissioner, triggering intense debate and strong reactions across the city. The high-profile appointment comes at a critical moment for the New York City Fire Department, with leadership, reform, and operational priorities firmly in the spotlight.
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NewsTranscript
00:00I have appointed Lillian to this role not solely for her wealth of experience,
00:05not solely because of her vision and ideas for how we take the FDNY into its latest year of existence,
00:14but also because of the respect she holds for this work and all those who do it.
00:20I think of the words of Edward Croker, one of Lillian's predecessors,
00:24who stewarded the FDNY through a moment of transformation over a century ago.
00:30He said,
00:32We who know the work which the firefighter has to do believe that it is a noble calling.
00:38Our proudest moment is to save lives.
00:42We in City Hall know the noble nature of that work that FDNY does,
00:48and we know that much has changed about the FDNY since Commissioner Croker's days in charge.
00:53The department has expanded significantly, with the commissioner now overseeing 11,000 uniformed firefighters,
01:024,500 EMTs, and over 2,000 civilian employees.
01:06The city has also grown immensely in that time.
01:10And the person entrusted with this leadership, with being the commissioner of this department,
01:14must be someone who cares about each corner of New York City,
01:19and whose expertise lends itself to a moment of both change and new challenges.
01:25Lillian Bonsignore both has that expertise and is that leader.
01:29Lillian Bonsignore
01:30Lillian Bonsignore
01:32Lillian Bonsignore
02:32Will everyone please rise as the colors are presented by the FNY ceremonial unit, color guard, followed by the FNY Emerald Society pipes and drums.
04:05Detail, hand salute.
05:31Thank you, Captain Quinonez.
05:32Please remain standing while the F&Y chaplain, Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello, is invited to The
05:42Podium to deliver the invocation.
05:44Detail on cover.
05:54of our loving and merciful God.
05:57Let us pray.
05:59Almighty God, source of all wisdom, courage, and truth,
06:04we gather today with gratitude and hope
06:06as we witness this important moment
06:09in the life of our great city
06:11and in the life of the fire department of New York.
06:15We thank you for the women and men of our FDNY family,
06:20for their bravery, their sacrifice,
06:22their unwavering commitment to protect life and property.
06:28Bless them in their daily service
06:30and keep them safe in every call they answer.
06:34Today we ask your special blessing
06:36upon our new commissioner, Lillian Bonsignor.
06:42With 31 years of experience,
06:45she comes before us shaped by service,
06:49tested by challenge,
06:50and guided by a deep understanding
06:52of this department's proud mission.
06:56Grant her the wisdom in decision-making,
06:59steadiness in times of crisis,
07:02compassion in leadership,
07:03and strength to lead with integrity and vision.
07:07May she build upon the hard work and dedication
07:13and the legacy of those commissioners who came before her,
07:18honoring their service while guiding this department forward
07:22with charity and purpose.
07:26With a name like Bonsignor,
07:29which means good person,
07:30we know she will do a good job.
07:33We also ask your blessing upon our new mayor,
07:37Zoran Mandani,
07:39that he may lead with humility, justice,
07:42and a spirit of cooperation and collaboration,
07:45always mindful of the trust placed in him
07:48by the people of this great city.
07:50May all who serve this city do so with unity of purpose
07:54and respect for one another.
07:57Oh, loving God,
07:58we ask your blessings upon all of our firefighters
08:01and EMS members of our great department,
08:04remembering in a special way our members who are sick
08:07and always help us never to forget
08:10those who made the supreme sacrifice with their lives.
08:14Good and gracious God,
08:16we place this moment, this leadership,
08:18this department, this city,
08:20and the United States of America
08:22in your loving care.
08:24And together we say, amen.
08:27Detail, recover.
08:32Thank you, Monsignor Gigantiello.
08:34Please retire the colors.
08:37Ladies and gentlemen, please be seated.
09:07Good afternoon.
09:13Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
09:17We're definitely not going to start this ceremony that way.
09:21We are swearing in our 37th fire commissioner
09:23in FDNY headquarters
09:25with our newly elected mayor.
09:27So we're going to get the energy right
09:39and probably wake up a few neighbors.
09:41So once again, good afternoon.
09:43Good afternoon.
09:44Much better.
09:45Thank you very much.
09:46I am Captain Andrew Brown
09:47and it is my honor
09:48to be your master of ceremonies
09:50for the swearing in of Lillian Bonsignor
09:53as the 37th fire commissioner
09:55of the fire department of New York City.
09:58Thank you very much for training.
10:01Thank you very much.
10:03Thank you, very good.
10:34Now that's how you start a ceremony.
10:50I would like to take a moment to introduce the members of our dais.
10:54Ladies and gentlemen, please hold your applause until the end while I say each distinguished member's name.
10:59Mayor of the City of New York, Zoran Kwame Mamadani.
11:05Fire Commissioner, Lillian Bonsignor.
11:08Chief of Department, John Esposito.
11:12Chief of Fire Operations, Kevin Woods.
11:15Chief of EMS Operations, Paul Miano.
11:19Chief of Fire Prevention, Thomas Correo.
11:21FDNY Chaplain, Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello.
11:27Chief FDNY Chaplain, Rabbi Joseph Potasnik.
11:31A special welcome to the Bonsignor family, and what a great turnout, both uniform and civilian staff.
11:53We are joined today by First Deputy Mayor Dean Fulihan.
11:56Deputy Mayor for Operations, Julia Kersen.
12:11Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning, Layla Buzorg.
12:15I would like to also acknowledge all the former fire commissioners, FDNY chiefs, deputies, associate and assistant commissioners, union officials, elected officials, FDNY members, and honored family.
12:32Welcome to all.
12:33It is now our pleasure to introduce the mayor of the city of New York, Zoran Kwame Mamadani.
12:51Thank you very much, Mr. Mayor.
12:53You're not cool.
12:54Good afternoon, everyone.
13:04Good afternoon.
13:07It is truly such a privilege to be here with all of you today as we swear in Lillian Bonsignore as New York City's 37th fire commissioner.
13:18I have appointed Lillian to this role not solely for her wealth of experience, not solely because of her vision and ideas for how we take the FDNY into its latest year of existence,
13:40but also because of the respect she holds for this work and all those who do it.
13:46I think of the words of Edward Croker, one of Lillian's predecessors, who stewarded the FDNY through a moment of transformation over a century ago.
13:56He said,
13:57And we who know the work which the firefighter has to do believe that it is a noble calling.
14:04Our proudest moment is to save lives.
14:08We in City Hall know the noble nature of that work that FDNY does.
14:14And we know that much has changed about the FDNY since Commissioner Croker's days in charge.
14:20The department has expanded significantly, with the commissioner now overseeing 11,000 uniformed firefighters, 4,500 EMTs, and over 2,000 civilian employees.
14:33The city has also grown immensely in that time.
14:36And the person entrusted with this leadership, with being the commissioner of this department,
14:40must be someone who cares about each corner of New York City,
14:45and whose expertise lends itself to a moment of both change and new challenges.
14:51Lillian Bonsignori both has that expertise and is that leader.
14:56Thank you very much, my friend.
14:57There are few in this city, and indeed in this nation, better equipped to lead the FDNY as it protects New Yorkers.
15:12Lillian's record is one of 31 years of service.
15:16She's the former FDNY chief of EMS operations,
15:19and she has shown leadership on the front lines in the response to 9-11, as well as the global COVID pandemic.
15:25In the hardest moments that this city has faced,
15:29Lillian has stepped up and has done that noble work of saving lives.
15:34There will certainly be many difficult moments to come.
15:38Moments where New Yorkers run from flames while the brave men and women of the FDNY run towards them.
15:44Moments where EMS workers heal the injured and the afraid.
15:47Moments where we face enormous challenges of pain and of hardship.
15:51But I also know that in those moments, our new commissioner will find a department that is ready to meet them.
16:01I tell you that as someone who is now in my sixth day of being the mayor of New York City.
16:06And in those six days, I have already spent two of my mornings with some of the incredible men and women of the FDNY,
16:15some of the chiefs right here on this stage.
16:17And I have had the privilege, frankly, I have had the honor,
16:20of seeing how a department of this kind can respond to a five-alarm fire and ensure that there is no loss of life.
16:26I have seen that work be done day after day.
16:30And I have seen that the men and women of this department give everything that they have
16:36to ensure that a New Yorker never has to say goodbye to another in their own life.
16:40And I want to say thank you to the chiefs on this stage.
16:43Thank you to the leaders in this crowd and to every single member of the FDNY.
16:48It is truly a privilege to be a part of this same city with you.
16:50So with that being said, I am excited to make very clear that in those moments of challenges, they will come,
17:10that the members of the FDNY will be able to turn to their commissioner
17:14and know that they are led by someone who knows this work,
17:19who cares about this work,
17:21and will stop at nothing to ensure that this work is being done.
17:25Congratulations, Lillian.
17:26Congratulations, Commissioner.
17:35I will now ask Lillian Bonsignor to please step forward to take the oath of office.
17:42Her wife, Kim, will hold the Bible.
17:43Once in position, Lillian, please raise your right hand and repeat the oath with the mayor.
18:04Now, Lillian, repeat after me.
18:07I state your name.
18:09I, Lillian Bonsignor.
18:10I do solemnly swear that I will support
18:13Do solemnly swear that I will support
18:15The Constitution of the United States
18:18The Constitution of the United States
18:20The Constitution of the State of New York
18:22The Constitution of the State of New York
18:24And the Charter of the City of New York
18:26And the Charter of the City of New York
18:28And that I will faithfully discharge
18:31And I will faithfully discharge
18:32The duties of Commissioner of the Fire
18:35the duties of the Commissioner of the Fire
18:38Department of New York City
18:39Department of New York City
18:41according to the best of my ability
18:43according to the best of my ability
18:44so help me God
18:45so help me God
18:47congratulations Commissioner
18:48ladies and gentlemen
18:52Fire Commissioner Lillian Bonsignor
19:05keep it going
19:35ladies and gentlemen
19:43Fire Commissioner Lillian Bonsignor
19:47wow
19:56thank you so much
20:00for such a warm welcome
20:01Mr. Mayor
20:04Vandami
20:05thank you for putting your faith in me
20:07distinguished guests
20:09including First Deputy Mayor
20:11Dean Fulahan
20:12Deputy Mayor for Operations
20:15Julia Kersen
20:16thank you for coming
20:17Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning
20:20Laila Borzard
20:21Manhattan Borough President
20:23Brad Hoylman
20:24thank you
20:27Council Member Joanne Arriola
20:31and Council Member
20:36Lynn Shulman
20:37and all the members of the FDNY family
20:43and my fellow New Yorkers
20:45thank you all so much for being here
20:47standing here today
20:50I'm struck by a profound sense of coming home
20:54for 31 years
20:56I had the privilege of wearing the FDNY uniform
20:58I know the weight of the turnout gear
21:01the adrenaline of the tones
21:03and the calls
21:05and the sacred bond that forms
21:07in the firehouse and EMS stations
21:09I am keenly aware
21:11of the weight of this uniform
21:13and the history of the patches
21:14that you wear on your sleeves
21:16to lead this department
21:18is the greatest honor of my life
21:20but I do not mistake this ceremony
21:22for an achievement
21:23but a deeper commitment
21:25to those who do the work
21:27but as I take this oath today
21:29I do so in a different capacity
21:32today I don't just represent
21:35those in uniform
21:36I represent the multitudes
21:38of civilian professionals
21:40mechanics
21:40dispatchers
21:41fire inspectors
21:43and support staff
21:44who are the backbone of this agency
21:46without the shops
21:48the rigs don't roll
21:49without the dispatchers
21:50the help doesn't come
21:52without the administrative staff
21:55the mission stalls
21:56to the entire department
21:59I see you
22:00I value you
22:01and I am honored to lead you all
22:04I take this oath
22:06at a poignant moment in our history
22:072026 marks the 25 years since 9-11
22:12for many of us
22:14that day is etched in our DNA
22:16it was a day
22:18we lost our brothers and sisters
22:20and the day that redefined
22:21what it meant to be
22:22the bravest and the best
22:24this will be a tough year
22:26of remembrance
22:27we will feel the weight
22:28of those we lost
22:29both on that Tuesday
22:31and in the years
22:33of illness that followed
22:34but as your commissioner
22:36I promise that I will not
22:38just remember their deaths
22:39we will honor their lives
22:42by ensuring this department
22:43remains the gold standard
22:44of service that they fought
22:46to maintain
22:47in a city that never stops
22:50we are the ones
22:50who stand in the gap
22:51between catastrophe
22:52and community
22:54there is a common thread
22:56that weaves through
22:56the ambulance bay
22:57the firehouse
22:58and our civilian offices
23:00it's the quiet heavy weight
23:02of the service we provide
23:04some of us see
23:06us as separate entities
23:08but the reality is
23:10that we are just one department
23:11with two heartbeats
23:12the fire service
23:14and the EMS service
23:16whether you are stretching
23:18a line into a burning building
23:19or performing a life-saving
23:21intubation on a crowded sidewalk
23:23the mission is identical
23:25we protect lives
23:27I do not lead
23:29to stand above you
23:30I lead to stand behind you
23:32providing the tools
23:34the trust
23:35and the tenacity
23:36you need to save lives
23:38whether you're at the nozzle
23:39the stretcher
23:40or the computer terminal
23:41as I take this position
23:43I carry one guiding principle
23:45with me
23:46it is the metric
23:47by which I want
23:48my tenure to be judged
23:50a commissioner's greatest duty
23:53isn't to command the fire
23:54but to protect
23:56and empower the hands
23:57that fight it
23:58those hands belong to you
24:00EMTs
24:01paramedics
24:02firefighters
24:03and the civilians
24:04who make this work possible
24:05the hands that force the door
24:08the hands that started an IV
24:10the hands that did CPR
24:12down five flights of steps
24:14the hands that held
24:15a grieving family member
24:17tight in their worst moment
24:18the hand
24:20that typed the critical information
24:22into a computer
24:24as a terrified caller
24:25cried on the other side
24:26of the phone
24:27the hands that hold that salute
24:29as we stand shoulder to shoulder
24:31to honor our fallen heroes
24:33my job is to ensure
24:35that those hands
24:36have the training
24:38the resources
24:38and the unwavering support
24:40they deserve
24:42to our mayor
24:43and our elected officials
24:46I look forward
24:47to our work together
24:48I am committed
24:49to a partnership
24:50built on transparency
24:51and a shared vision
24:52for a safer New York
24:53when we collaborate
24:55we ensure that our front line
24:57has the resources
24:58they need
24:59to meet the challenges
25:00of a modern city
25:01I am especially humbled
25:03by the presence
25:05of the former fire commissioners
25:06here
25:07Commissioner Nigro
25:08Commissioner Cavanaugh
25:09Commissioner Guerra
25:11I have had the privilege
25:13of knowing and working
25:14with you throughout my career
25:16you steered this department
25:18through the most challenging days
25:19and I thank you
25:20for the counsel
25:21you've already offered
25:22and the foundation
25:23of excellence
25:24you've left behind
25:25I hope to build
25:27upon that legacy
25:27with the same dedication
25:29you showed this city
25:30having spent 31 years
25:32in this department
25:33I understand
25:34that our unions
25:34are not just organizations
25:36they are the voices
25:37of the people
25:38who do the work
25:39I am committed
25:40to working with labor
25:42to ensure
25:42that those who give
25:44their all for this city
25:45are given the support
25:46and respect
25:47that they deserve
25:48it is clear
25:50nobody reaches a day
25:51like this alone
25:52I am here
25:54because of the mentors
25:55that I've had
25:56because of the women
25:56and men
25:57that I've served
25:57alongside of
25:58for three decades
25:59and most of all
26:01most importantly
26:03I am here
26:04because of my family
26:05to my wife Kim
26:07you have been
26:08my North Star
26:09through the years
26:11of long shifts
26:12missed holidays
26:13and the heavy silence
26:15that follows
26:16a hard day's work
26:17you have served
26:19the city
26:19just as much
26:20as I have
26:20through your patience
26:22and your strength
26:22I love you
26:24and I thank you
26:24for standing by me
26:25as I come out
26:27of retirement
26:27please continue
26:31to love me
26:32you see
26:46they want you to too
26:47and to our family
26:49Joanna
26:50Madeline
26:50and T
26:51and your beautiful families
26:53seeing the adults
26:54you've become
26:55is my greatest pride
26:56thank you for sharing me
26:58with this city
26:58for three decades
26:59and for your support
27:00as I watch over
27:01this incredible department
27:03in the years to come
27:04Mateo
27:05Abigail
27:06and Max
27:07pay attention
27:08and the rest of our
27:11amazing family
27:12and friends
27:12I love you all so much
27:14thank you for sharing
27:15this day with us
27:16to the firefighters
27:18EMTs
27:19and paramedics
27:20I know the toll
27:21this job takes
27:22I know the sacrifices
27:23your family make
27:24while you are
27:25at the firehouse
27:26or on a bus
27:27my promise to you
27:29is simple
27:29I will manage
27:31the politics
27:32so you can manage
27:33the emergencies
27:34I will fight
27:36for your safety
27:37and your well-being
27:38with the same ferocity
27:39that you fight
27:40for this city
27:41we will be a department
27:43that evolves
27:44we will be a department
27:46that embraces
27:46the future
27:47of emergency medicine
27:48fire science
27:49and technology
27:50but we will always
27:52remain a department
27:53rooted in tradition
27:54and courage
27:55and sacrifice
27:56that has defined
27:57New York City
27:58for over 160 years
28:00to the people of New York
28:02when you see the red lights
28:04and hear those sirens
28:05know that you're seeing
28:06the finest professional service
28:08the world has ever known
28:09you are in the best hands
28:11I'm ready to get to work
28:13not from a pedestal
28:15but from the side
28:17of those who serve
28:18may God bless the FDNY
28:21and may he keep you safe
28:23as you go about the business
28:24of saving this city
28:25and thanks
28:27special thanks
28:29to our honor families
28:30for coming out today
28:32I invited them last minute
28:34and they all showed up
28:35and I want you to know
28:37that your family members
28:38live in our hearts
28:39every single day
28:40every single moment
28:41and every hand
28:43that does this job
28:44thank you for joining us today
28:46thank you everybody
28:47ladies and gentlemen
28:54once again
28:55the fire commissioner
28:56Lillian Bonsignor
28:57congratulations
28:58congratulations
29:28Everyone, please remain standing for the benediction
29:40by Chief FNY Chaplain, Rabbi Joseph Potasnik.
29:46Detail, uncover.
29:50Before the benediction, I must say I'm always nervous
29:52about speaking at the end of a ceremony.
29:54I officiated a wedding a short time ago,
29:57and I received the most unusual note from the bride,
30:01which said, Rabbi, thank you so much
30:04for bringing our happy relationship to a conclusion.
30:09Let me bring this happy relationship today
30:11to a very happy conclusion.
30:14Religious tradition teaches us that if you run after honor,
30:19honor runs from you.
30:21But if you run away from honor, honor overtakes you.
30:25Today, Commissioner Monsignor, honor has caught up with you.
30:33In the ancient Olympics, the winner of the race
30:37was not the one who finished first,
30:40but the one who finished first with the flame burning brightly,
30:45that torch strong.
30:47Commissioner, throughout your career,
30:50that flame with your ideas and your ideals
30:54has burned brightly.
30:57It is said that a leader is the one
30:59who knows the way,
31:03who shows the way,
31:05and who goes the way.
31:08Commissioner,
31:09we are going to walk that way with you.
31:11We who may believe in our different faiths,
31:16but we who also belong to one human family.
31:20Amen.
31:22Recover.
31:27Thank you, Rabbi Potasnik.
31:29On behalf of Mayor Mamdani,
31:32Fire Commissioner Bonsignor,
31:34and all of the members of the dais,
31:35we'd like to thank everyone for attending
31:37and wishing our 37th Fire Commissioner,
31:40Lillian Bonsignor,
31:41the best of luck.
31:42Please look out for one another.
31:44Thank you,
31:45and enjoy the rest of the day.