FDNY’s future: AI, BWCs and pay parity

FDNY’s future: AI, BWCs and pay parity

From EMS One-Stop by emsonestop

April 16, 2026 · 58 min · Episode 99

About this episode

Rob Lawrence interviews Lillian Bonsignore about her role as FDNY Commissioner and the challenges facing the EMS system.

In this episode of EMS One-Stop, Rob Lawrence travels to New York City to sit down with Lillian Bonsignore, the 37th Commissioner of the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY). A 30-plus year veteran who rose through the ranks of EMS — from EMT in the South Bronx to Chief of EMS and now Commissioner — Bonsignore brings a ground-up understanding of the largest fire-EMS system in the United States. She reflects on stepping into the role as “walking onto a fast-moving train,” immediately confronted with major incidents, severe weather and system pressures, while simultaneously building her leadership team and setting direction for the future. | MORE: ‘We have to right the ship’: FDNY commissioner doubles down on EMS pay parity The conversation explores the unique structure of FDNY, where the Commissioner operates as the executive leader “almost like CEO of the company,” while operational command sits with the Chief of Department. Bonsignore is clear-eyed about the scale and demands of the system: over 2.2 million runs annually, with 1.6 million EMS-related, reinforcing her long-held position that EMS must be treated as an essential service with appropriate funding and career…

People in this episode

Host: Rob Lawrence

Guest: Lillian Bonsignore

Topics covered

  • FDNY
  • EMS leadership
  • AI in emergency services
  • pay parity
  • public safety
  • COVID-19 response

Keywords

  • FDNY
  • EMS
  • AI
  • pay parity
  • leadership
  • public safety
  • COVID-19

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Fire Department of the City of New York

Places: New York City

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