Responder Resilience

Lillian Bonsignore—Redefining EMS Leadership in New York | S4 E37

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.

👁️‍🗨️ Premieres Weds. Sept. 11 at 7pm ET— ⫸ Watch replays anytime thereafter

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ResponderResilience
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/responderTV
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daviddachinger/
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/responder-resilience/id1606791260
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Ya38lJn9YAaDHkSwZmX18
Our website with past episodes and more: https://www.respondertv.com/

#ResponderResilience #FirstResponders #ChiefLillianBonsignore #EMSLeadership #EMSChief #OperationalExcellence #EmergencyManagement #COVIDResponse #IncidentManagement #EMSResilience #FDNY