Zohran Mamdani brought Lillian Bonsignore out of retirement on Tuesday to serve as the first openly gay commissioner of the Fire Department of New York City. While she has never been a firefighter, she was an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) provider for 31 years and served as the fire department’s EMS Operations chief during the COVID-19 pandemic.

She said, “It was a little hard [to come out of retirement], it’s a hard decision, but I’m looking forward to it, I’m happy to do it.” Bonsignore finds it odd that what people celebrate her for the most is being a woman and being gay.

“It’s kind of odd that the thing I get celebrated for the most – people are always like, ‘Wow, you’re a woman and you’re gay’ – are the two things I put the least work into,” she said.

Mamdani made sure to highlight Bonsignore’s sexual orientation during his announcement. “I am proud that Lillian will make history as the first openly gay person to head up the department,” he said.

The first question Bonsignore and Mamdani received was about her never having served as a firefighter. “I can see how that might be a concern, being fire is the primary word, and there is concern regarding this,” Bonsignore said. “I have spent thirty years working in this fire department alongside every EMT, paramedic, firefighter, support staff, and we’ve all been doing this job with one mission, and that’s to save the lives… As far as firefighting experience, I would say I know the job, I know what the firefighters need, and I can translate that to this administration who’s willing to listen.”

Mamdani responded, “One of the things that makes me so excited to have the commissioner is her bringing more than thirty years of experience and her having a real understanding both on the job and in the experience of those she has worked with of what is required of the incredible New Yorkers who do this work each and every day.”

Mamdani’s announcement occurred one hour before outgoing Mayor Eric Adams swore in his own pick for the job. Unlike Mamdani, Adams chose a career firefighter to serve as New York City’s Fire Department commissioner. Adams’ pick, Mark Guerra, “has served the Fire Department of New York City for 37 years as a firefighter and a leader,” said Adams at the time. “It is my honor to elevate him from first deputy commissioner to Fire Commissioner and oversee New York’s bravest. He is a true hero and protector of New Yorkers.”

Guerra will serve the department until January 1, when Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani assumes office and his pick, Bonsignore, assumes the position.

Bonsignore plans to make education a big part of her administration. “I think the public education you’re going to find is going to be a big part of my administration.”

Mamdani and Bonsignore agreed that New Yorkers need to know when to call 911 as the large volume of calls — some of which could be routed through other channels — puts a strain on the system.

It may not be a white Christmas for most of the United States when people wake up to open gifts Thursday morning, but storms are forecast to dump snow and ice on parts of the Midwest and Northeast late Christmas Day and into the weekend. Meanwhile, Southern California faces flood risks on Christmas Eve and into Christmas.

Travelers in the Midwest and Northeast should exercise caution when traveling for Christmas and when heading home after the holiday. Much of New York, including New York City, New England, and northern Pennsylvania are expected to get anywhere between 1 to 12 inches of snow Thursday night into Friday, AccuWeather reported. The areas likely to see the most snow are southeastern New York and northeastern Pennsylvania, which are slated to get between 6 and 12 inches.

“This fast-moving storm will pack a punch in the Northeast right after Christmas. Holiday travelers should prepare for major slowdowns on roads and at airports,” said AccuWeather’s Senior Meteorologist, Tyler Roys.

Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and Baltimore could also see a snow-rain mix.

Much of Michigan and Wisconsin are forecasted to get a snow-ice mix between Thursday and Saturday, with parts of eastern and mid-Michigan forecasted to get hit with a severe ice storm on Friday. Parts of the Dakotas and Minnesota could also be hit with ice or a wintry mix. Most of Ohio and parts of Indiana and northern Illinois, including Chicago, are expected to see rain. Thunderstorms are forecasted to hit central and southern Ohio, along with parts of northeastern Kentucky and western and northern parts of West Virginia, according to AccuWeather.

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The storm is expected to be New York City’s biggest snowfall of the year so far — between 3 and 6 inches — potentially causing travel disruptions for millions of people. ABC News reported that travelers should expect “treacherous commutes” on I-80, I-70, I-90, and I-95.

Southern California was hit with heavy rain on Wednesday, with the stormy weather expected to stick around until Friday, ABC 7 Los Angeles reported. The storm has sparked flood warnings, concerns about potential mudslides, and at least one tornado warning on Wednesday. The tornado warning, which was issued for parts of east-central Los Angeles County, was canceled at 10:40 a.m. local time, but the National Weather Service said that damaging winds would continue throughout the day.

The storm is expected to dump several inches on Southern California, and thousands of customers lost power on Wednesday.

Ariel Cohen, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Los Angeles, warned earlier this week, “If you’re planning to be on the roads for the Christmas holidays, please reconsider your plans.”