Bronx Woman Makes History as NYC’s First Woman & First Gay EMS Chief

People from The Bronx, and more specifically WOMEN, continue to break records and shattering barriers.

The FDNY will, as of tomorrow, have their first ever woman and first ever gay Chief of EMS in New York City history as Lillian Bonsignore takes the reigns over the 4,500 employees of the department.

“I take this promotion very seriously,” she said. “I had a difficult childhood … and I would not be in this position if not for the strong women who were placed in my path along the way. They encouraged me and kept me going.”

According to the Daily News, when Bonsignore first began working for EMS she thought she was only gonna work for the summer as she had her eyes set on going to medical school.

FDNY’s new EMS Chief, Lillian Bonsignore will take the helm of the department starting tomorrow./Image via Lillian Bonsignore

Little did she ever think that 28 years later, she’d become the highest ranking individual of the department.

“I take this promotion very seriously,” she said. “I had a difficult childhood … and I would not be in this position if not for the strong women who were placed in my path along the way. They encouraged me and kept me going.” she told the Daily News.

Congratulations to Lillian Bonsignore and thanks for making us proud!

What more proof do you need not to ever mess with a woman from The Bronx? They’re a force to be reckoned with!

Read more over at the Daily News.

Ed García Conde

Ed García Conde is a life-long Bronxite who spends his time documenting the people, places, and things that make the borough a special place in the hopes of dispelling the negative stereotypes associated with The Bronx. His writings are often cited by mainstream media and is often consulted for his expertise on the borough's rich history.