Bonsignore opens testimony highlighting FDNY Medal Day heroes
Commissioner Bonsignore introduces her leadership team and highlights upcoming FDNY Medal Day, beginning with the story of Firefighter John Palmer from Ladder 144 who rescued a 65-year-old man from a burning building in College Point.
Good afternoon.
Good afternoon, Chair Areola and members, and Chair Lee, and members of the Fire and Emergency Management Committee.
My name is Lillian Bonsignor, and I'm pleased to appear before you today to discuss the executive budget for the fire department.
I am joined by First Deputy Commissioner Daniel Flynn, Chief of Department John Esposito, Chief of EMS Paul Miano, Deputy Commissioner of Management and Budget Lizette Kristoff,
Chief of Fire Operations Kevin Woods, Chief of Fire Prevention Thomas Correo, Associate Commissioner of Work Force Development Nafisa Noonan, and Assistant Commissioner for Facilities
Paul DeRacus.
This coming Wednesday is FDNY Medal Day, which is an event that we hold each year on the steps of City Hall to recognize the life-saving efforts of the FDNY members.
Before we get into the dollars and cents of the fiscal year 2027 budget, I'd like to briefly highlight
the way the fire department funding translates into a tangible, real-world services.
Among this year's medal recipients will be firefighter John Palmer from Ladder 144.
In the early mornings of September 12, 2025, Ladder 144 recognized
responded second due to a reported fire in a two-story flat roof private dwelling in College Point.
When they arrived at the fire, a woman said her father was trapped inside.
Firefighter Palmer and the inside team masked up and made their way into the second floor where they were met with high heat and zero visibility.
At the top of the stairs, they encountered a locked apartment door, which was difficult to force, given the fire conditions and the size of the landing.
Working with a fellow member of Ladder 144, Firefighter Palmer, was able to force the door open and begin a search inside the apartment.
He located an inward opening door and found an unconscious 65-year-old man laying on his back on the floor of what firefighter Palmer determined was a bathroom.
Working with firefighter Rafael Hernandez,
They were able to remove the unresponsive man to the exterior landing, where he was passed off to others and received emergency medical care outside that building.
For saving a life under extraordinarily challenging circumstances, Firefighter Palmer will be receiving the Probationary Firefighter Thomas A.
Wiley Medal.