Two of New York’s and the Bronx’ bravest were promoted to top-ranking chief positions by the FDNY commissioner.
FDNY members Lillian Bonsignore and Alvin Suriel were sworn in as Chief and Assistant Chief of EMS on Tuesday, May 7.
Bonsignore is the first woman to head the FDNY’s EMS bureau, while Suriel is the first Hispanic FDNY Assistant Chief of EMS, and of course they both served previously in the Bronx.
Chief Bonsignore, a 28-year EMS worker previously stationed out of Lincoln Hospital, will now supervise 4,100 EMT’s, paramedics, EMS officers and civilian employees in the EMS Bureau.
She will also be responsible for overseeing operations, planning, strategic initiatives and logistics.
After responding to September 11th and instructing a 9/11 relief program, Chief Bonsignore returned to her south Bronx garage, this time as a lieutenant.
Following that she was appointed Chief of EMS Academy.
“Lillian Bonsignore is a dedicated and a proven manager who has ensured the next generation of EMTs and Paramedics are trained and equipped to provide the highest level of pre-hospital medical care,” said Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro, who proudly appointed the chief.
Meanwhile, Chief Suriel who was a paramedic coordinator in the south Bronx and most recently a Deputy Assistant Chief of EMS Operations, will serve as Chief Bonsignore’s second-in-command.
The 30-year department veteran was also a responder on 9/11 and spent days at Ground Zero in recovery efforts.
“In his decades as a member of EMS, Alvin Suriel has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to excellence as an EMT, Paramedic, and in multiple roles as an EMS officer,” Nigro also said.
