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Join us for an enlightening conversation with retired Chief Lillian Bonsignore, a trailblazing 31-year veteran of the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) who served as the FDNY Chief of EMS Operations from 2019-2022, a period that encompassed the harrowing COVID-19 pandemic. As the highest-ranking Officer in the EMS command and the first female to achieve a 4-star rank in the history of FDNY, Chief Bonsignore's career is a testament to resilience, leadership, and breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated field.
Join us for an enlightening conversation with retired Chief Lillian Bonsignore, a trailblazing 31-year veteran of the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) who served as the FDNY Chief of EMS Operations from 2019-2022, a period that encompassed the harrowing COVID-19 pandemic. As the highest-ranking Officer in the EMS command and the first female to achieve a 4-star rank in the history of FDNY, Chief Bonsignore's career is a testament to resilience, leadership, and breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated field.
In this episode, we delve into Chief Bonsignore's journey in EMS, exploring how she got started and whether it was a lifelong ambition. We ask the hard-hitting questions: What challenges did she face as she ascended through the ranks? What was it like being the first female 4-star chief in FDNY's storied history? Chief Bonsignore shares candid insights into the impact her groundbreaking career had on her friends and family, and how these dynamics shifted post-retirement.
We also examine FDNY's response during the COVID-19 pandemic. How did Chief Bonsignore prioritize tasks and delegate responsibilities under immense pressure? Learn her strategies for managing and tracking the training, quality assurance, morale, and wellbeing of over 4,300 EMS providers who respond to 1.5 million calls annually. Lastly, we discuss the often-overlooked psychological and emotional toll that EMS responses can take on personnel, and how Chief Bonsignore addresses these critical issues.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in leadership under pressure, emergency management, and the personal stories of those who stand on the front lines during our most challenging times.
Episode Sponsor Fire Service Psychology Association:
Website: https://www.firepsychology.org/
Contact Lillian Bonsignore:
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/lillian-bonsignore
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Retired Chief FDNY EMS
Chief Lillian Bonsignore, Paramedic, CIC- is a retired, 31-year veteran of the Fire Department of New York who served as the FDNY Chief of EMS Operations from 2019-2022 during the COVID Pandemic. She was the highest-ranking Officer in the EMS command, the highest-ranking uniformed female in FDNY and the first female to achieve a 4-star rank in the history of FDNY. Chief Bonsignore was responsible for the operational oversight and leadership of more than 4300 EMS Providers in New York City where EMS responds to 1.5 million calls per year. She also has an extensive history in EMS training. She previously served as the FDNY Chief of the EMS Academy where she was responsible for the EMS Probationary School, EMS Officer training and managed the EMS certification of more than 13,000 members of the FDNY. Chief Bonsignore retired in December 2022. Chief Bonsignore is now a senior advisor for Cambridge Consulting Group.
