MyFDNY News: May 2026

MyFDNY NEWS

FDNY COMMISSIONER LILLIAN BONSIGNORE UNVEILS 2026 EMS WEEK POSTER: ‘IMPROVING OUTCOMES, TOGETHER.’

In an annual tradition to honor the dedication of emergency medical service professionals in New York City and across the country, the FDNY unveiled its 2026 EMS Week poster inside the Commissioner Robert O. Lowery Auditorium at FDNY Headquarters in Brooklyn.

This year's national theme is "Improving Outcomes, Together."

"We can say that the members who have been around for 25, 30 years have contributed significantly to improving the outcomes of EMS throughout the years," said FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore, who previously worked in FDNY EMS and was the Chief of EMS Operations before retiring in 2022. "This year is a very special year for us to take the tone of never forgetting our past, never forgetting the people who have come before us."

Chief of EMS Operations Paul Miano said: "It's not just about the patients.

on Page 2

MAY 2026

FIRE COMMISSIONER Lillian Bonsignore

FIRST DEPUTY COMMISSIONER Daniel Flynn

CHIEF OF DEPARTMENT John M. Esposito

We Are FDNY

MEET VALERIE A. LOUBRIEL, DISABILITY RIGHTS COORDINATOR, EEO

Page 4

FOLLOWING DEADLY FIRES IN THE BRONX AND MANHATTAN, THE FDNY URGES NEW YORKERS TO ‘CLOSE THE DOOR’ DURING A FIRE

Following deadly fires in the Bronx and Manhattan, the FDNY is reminding New Yorkers that closing the door behind you during a fire is a simple action that can make a life-saving difference.

Two people were killed in a fire on April 21 in the Bronx, More on Page 2

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The FDNY Insider is now MyFDNY News! This monthly publication will be available in print and online.

When I say there are heroes all around us, I mean it. Even if they’re still in high school! I was honored to speak at Preston High School in the Bronx on May 7 for Career Day—highlighting the many opportunities available at the FDNY and the importance of service, leadership and teamwork.

Follow FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore on

The combined number of working years for all the FDNY employees recognized at the 2026 Quality of Work Life Employee Recognition Ceremony.

Continued from Page 1

We improve our own outcomes together. I am standing where I'm standing today because of my mentors who were on this job before me who made sure to make it better than it was when they were in the positions where we met."

The photo for this year's poster was taken at the FDNY's EMS Academy at Fort Totten and features members from across every rank—from EMT to the Fire Commissioner. The poster honors members who have served in EMS since before the Department's merger with New York City EMS and members who responded to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, and worked during the rescue and recovery efforts.

National EMS Week 2026 takes place May 17-23. As part of EMS Week, the Department will hold several events throughout the week, including the 30th Second Chance Ceremony on May 20.

For more information about careers in FDNY EMS, visit JoinFDNY.com. n

FOLLOWING DEADLY FIRES IN THE BRONX AND MANHATTAN, THE FDNY URGES NEW YORKERS TO

‘CLOSE THE DOOR’ DURING A FIRE

Continued from Page 1

and three people died in a fire on May 4. In both fires, apartment doors were left open, allowing dangerous heat, smoke and flames to spread to other units throughout the buildings.

“Leaving a door open while escaping a fire can cause it to grow and spread rapidly throughout a building,” FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore said. “This can create a dangerous situation for occupants and responding FDNY members. The message is simple: ‘Close the door.’”

The FDNY has since released two Public Service Announcements (PSAs) to remind New Yorkers of the importance of closing the door.

At a Public Information Briefing on May 7 at Department headquarters in Brooklyn, FDNY officials demonstrated just how important it is to close the door.

The FDNY and the FDNY Foundation celebrated the 24th class of the FDNY Officers Management Institute (FOMI) during a graduation ceremony on May 7 in the Commissioner Robert O. Lowery Auditorium at FDNY Headquarters in Brooklyn.

Established in 2002, FOMI was developed based on a recommendation in the McKinsey Report that was completed in the wake of the attacks on September 11, 2001. Funded by the FDNY Foundation, FOMI aims to make the FDNY more resilient and stronger by giving high-ranking officers and executive staff a solid foundation in management principles and leadership strategy.

More than 380 members have graduated from the program during its 24 years.

“Always value your time at FOMI, and remember the things that you learned. I can’t say enough about how it shaped me—certainly professionally, but the things I learned I also apply to my personal life, not just to the job,” said First Deputy Commissioner Daniel Flynn, who graduated from FOMI in 2017.

“Please close the door when there is a fire in your building. Close every door possible,” First Deputy Commissioner Daniel Flynn said. “Closed doors save lives. Close the doors in your apartment before you go to sleep. Those closed doors will limit the spread of fire, limit the spread of toxic gases and smoke.”

Scan the QR code to watch the demonstration and for more fire and life safety resources. n

Go beyond MyFDNY News: The FDNY demonstrates the importance of closing the door behind you during a fire.

Chief of Department John Esposito said: “I cannot say enough great things about FOMI. We know that it’s time away from the family, but it’s to make you better; it’s to make the Department better and to allow us to provide better service to the people of New York City.”

Deputy Assistant Chief James Canty, the class speaker for the 2026 graduating class, said it’s important for the graduates to apply what they learned throughout the program to better the Department.

“What I’d like you to do is use what you learned—use the strategy, use the communications, use the willingness to listen to a perspective that is not your own, because that, more than anything else, is what the last six months have taught us,” Chief Canty said. “Take what Columbia gave us, take what the FDNY Foundation made possible, take what our classmates from every bureau showed us and bring it back to the Department. Bring it back to your firehouse, bring it back to your station, bring it back to your office or your bureau. Make this Department a better place to work.”

The program is offered through Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs and includes instruction

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(1) EMS Division Chief Christopher Bilz, Rescue 5 Firefighter Tim McGuire and Station 39 EMT Ryan O’Reilly were honored April 23 at Citi Field during First Responders Appreciation Night, where members threw out the ceremonial first pitch in recognition of life-saving actions earlier this year in Queens and Brooklyn. (2) FDNY members proudly took part in the 4th Annual Climb to SUMMIT on April 19 at One Vanderbilt in Manhattan. The event is put on by the FDNY Foundation, the Department’s official nonprofit organization, in partnership with SL Green Realty Corp. This year’s event featured 22 teams from the FDNY to take on the challenge of racing up 93 stories—more than 1,100 feet—to the top of SUMMIT One Vanderbilt. This year’s event raised more than $350,000. (3) The FDNY recognized the staff members who keep everything moving on April 22 for Administrative Professionals Day. (4) On May 5, the FDNY honored some of its longest-service employees. From civilian staff to uniformed members, 309 employees were honored for reaching milestone work anniversaries with the Ci ty of New York. In total, members recognized have combined to serve more than 7,100 years. (5) FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore held a meet-and-greet with the Department’s affiliated organizations on May 12 at FDNY Headquarters in Brooklyn. The conversation focused on strengthening communication, supporting members and building on efforts that enhance engagement throughout the entire agency. (6) Congratulations to the FDNY members who graduated from the West Point Counterterrorism Leadership Program on April 17. In partnership with the West Point Combatting Terrorism Center, these graduates completed an intensive program focused on global terrorism trends, strategic planning and crisis leadership. n

FDNY COMMISSIONER LILLIAN BONSIGNORE APPOINTS

MICHAEL

MEET VALERIE A. LOUBRIEL, DISABILITY RIGHTS COORDINATOR, EEO

1. Please introduce yourself—your name, your ti tle and the year you joined the FDNY.

My name is Valerie A. Loubriel, Esq. I joined the FDNY in April 2013 and serve as a disability rights coordinator.

2. Where are you currently assigned, and what are your main responsibilities?

As the disability rights coordinator, I lead a team of dedicated staff who respond to requests for religious- and disability-related accommodations by FDNY personnel. My main responsibilities are to respond to members’ requests in a respectful and timely manner, ensuring that the Department can provide the requested accommodation or an effective alternative without an undue burden to the members’ unit or the Department as a whole.

3. What inspired you to choose a life of public service with the FDNY?

I come from a family tradition of public service. My paternal grandmother was a community activist, fighting for fair housing in our East Harlem community. My father was a postal worker for more than 30 years. Various family members were educators and worked in the East Harlem community. Additionally, my father, uncles, cousins and I are military veterans, collectively having served since World War II.

4. Can you share one of your most memorable moments on the job?

During my interview for this position, one of the interviewers asked me if I was able to multitask at an instance. I responded that I was a single mother with two children, so the answer is yes.

5. When you hear the words “We Are FDNY,” what does that mean to you?

Membership in a diverse first responder and civilian organization, dedicated to serving our city.

6. What would you say is your “superpower”—a strength or skill you bring to your work?

I wouldn’t say I have a superpower; I would say my team is my superpower. I have been able to surround myself with staff who share the same work ethic, compassion for others and ability to listen and hear the needs of the members requesting accommodation. The Religious Accommodations Unit is small— currently me; another attorney, Brian Angelone; Paramedic Damian Romero, who has revolutionized the RA data reporting systems; and the EEO office manager, Aisha Emanuel, who has assisted me for almost 10 years, answering calls and providing members with information and the necessary forms.

7. How does your role help advance the FDNY’s mission of public safety? When the needs of the staff are met, they can perform their essential job functions and ensure that the mission of the Department is met. n

J. KAVANAGH AS CHIEF FIRE MARSHAL

FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore on April 27 appointed Michael J. Kavanagh to Chief Fire Marshal of the FDNY’s Bureau of Fire Investigation (BFI). Chief Kavanagh will oversee approximately 150 fire marshals who are responsible for investigating the cause and origin of thousands of fires in New York City. FDNY fire marshals are law enforcement officers with the power to make arrests in arson and other fire-related criminal investigations. Chief Kavanagh joined the FDNY in 2001 and was assigned to Engine Company 39/Ladder Company 16 in Manhattan. He was promoted to fire marshal in 2010. Read more by scanning the QR code. n

podcast highlights

FDNY HOSTS NYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AT THE FIRE ACADEMY TO CONDUCT TRAINING OF VOLUNTEERS TO ENHANCE READINESS AHEAD OF HIGH-PROFILE 2026 EVENTS

enhance readiness, coordination and situational awareness. The training was part of ongoing efforts to prepare for high-profile activations, including FIFA World Cup 2026 and America250 celebrations. n

It was a bit of a different vibe at FDNY Headquarters in Brooklyn on April 23 for National Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day. The young visitors brought some serious smiles and energy as they were treated to fire and life safety lessons, visits with Hot Dog and Siren and a tour of FDNY apparatus. They got to interact with firefighters and EMS members as they got an up-close look at what it’s like to protect life and property in New York City. They were even sworn in as junior firefighters and EMTs! n