2017 DEC PASO Magazine

JONATHAN STORNETTA
PASO’S NEW FIRE CHIEF
By Chuck Desmond
On a warm October day, City
Manager Tom Frutchy swore in
Jonathan Stornetta as the new
Interim Fire Chief in Paso. 55
people in attendance listened
closely to Mr. Frutchy’s comments
about Jonathan as he spoke about
his duty, honor, service-above-self,
values and community. Clearly,
there was great respect for
Mr. Stornetta —“Fire Chief ”
may be the title but the position
is so much more than that.
The sign outside the building says
Department of Emergency Services.
Let’s take a look..
Jonathan’s age puts him right
in the prime-time of when a
career becomes defined by the
person instead of vice-versa. He
wasn’t born in A-town but the
family moved there when he
was just learning to walk. Jonathan
was a born ‘n’ bred Greyhound.
Years back, sensibility
set in and now he and his family
are here in Paso. Good move!
Fresh out of high school,
Jonathan took a full time position
at the local fire house as he
wanted to be a mechanic. The
chief squished him out of that
and encouraged him to become
a fireman. He did.
Jonathan became a reserve
firefighter which led to an opportunity
of going to paramedic
school at UC Davis. Someplace
along this path, Jonathan realized
that helping others was
really his calling. Once a person
has received and understands
that calling, the rest of the story
just becomes a “How.”
With 21 years as a paramedic,
Mr. Stornetta was also a full
time firefighter in Morro Bay
until Kevin Taylor recruited
him to come to El Paso de Robles
in 2001. That was a great
opportunity for Jonathan and
our growing community. In
2003, Jonathan was promoted
to Captain, to Interim Battalion
Chief in 2006, and to Battalion
Chief after 10 years.
Following a thorough vetting
process with a long list
of applicants, Jonathan was
chosen to be the new Inter-
im Fire Chief, filling Paul
Garcia’s shoes after his sixmonth
stint. This title will last
only eight months or less and
it gives the City manager and
Council time to watch Jonathan
and for him to watch them! It’s
much more than fires; it’s truly
Public Safety and it’s all about
saving lives and property and
raising awareness throughout
our pueblo.
The challenges are pretty
daunting. So far this year there
have been over 2,900 calls made
to the dispatch office! That
number was not anticipated to
be reached for many years into
the future. When a fire truck
goes, so does the ambulance —
if it’s available. The fire truck always
has a paramedic on board.
Contemporary Comfort Food
We’ll be open Christmas Eve Day until 3pm. Closed Christmas Day
to allow our staff to enjoy the day with their families.
We’ll be open New Year’s Eve Day all day and for dinner serving our
regular menu, PLUS select specials to bring in The New Year and open all
day New Year’s Day!
HOMEMADE
DESSERTS!
Cocktail Hour
Daily Specials • 3 - 6pm
Cocktails • Craft Beer
Wine • Appetizers
*Excludes Soup
We are OPEN ALL DAY...7 days a week from 11am
1114 Pine Street • Downtown Paso Robles • 238-3929
Dinner Specials Through
Month of December
Mondays
Shrimp Tacos
With Tarter Sauce,
Jalapeno Avocado
Salsa & Chips
Tuesdays
$16
Pound of
Steamed Clams
With Salad &
Garlic Bread $16
Wednesdays
Boneless Pork Chop
With Sweet Potato
Mash, Vegetable
and Sourdough
bread
$16
Thursdays
Baby Back Ribs
Cole Slaw, Garlic
Bread & Frites $16
20 PASO Magazine, December 2017