2019 May Paso Robles Magazine

City of Paso adds to Firefighting Ranks
Six new members were introduced by Chief Johnathan Stornetta
By Mark Diaz
The City of Paso Robles introduced
seven additional
firefighters, bolstering its
emergency services ranks.
Fire Chief Johnathan Storenetta
introduced Kevin Conner, Emmet
Hoey, Colton Lopez, Justin Ludwig,
Casey Larson and Ben Shank
to attending loved ones, supporting
staff and city officials that filled the
Public Safety Center Conference
Room. Stornetta punctuated the
point that the City strives to hire
only the best and brightest by stating
that the seven were selected
from more than 100 applicants.
“Our goal here at the department
is to provide the highest level
of service in the most efficient
manner possible,” Stornetta said,
addressing the crowd. “To constantly
safeguard and preserve life
and property against the elements
of fire and disaster.”
Stornetta emphasized to the new
recruits that self-sacrifice is a core
quality of being an emergency services
personnel.
“Doing this job you will be asked
to put aside your personal lives on a
daily basis and serve the citizens of
Paso Robles in their time of need,”
Stornetta said. “When people call
911 they do not care if your child
is home sick or if you’re missing
somebody’s birthday or if you haven’t
seen your loved ones or spouse
in weeks. All they want is for you
to respond and for you to help solve
their problem.”
Stornetta playfully ribbed some
of the youngest members, telling
Lopez that his parents could start
charging him rent now that he has
a full-time job and that Weber can
now stop raiding his parent’s fridge.
Paso Robles City Manager Tom
Frutchey led the new hires in the
oath after delivering a speech stressing
the importance of the action.
After the swearing in, individual
loved ones chosen by each of the
new firefighters came forward and
pinned the badge on their uniform.
Attendees were also treated to a
multimedia presentation created by
firefighter/paramedic Joel Platter
From right, Fire Chief Johnathan Storenetta,
Kevin Conner, Emmet Hoey, Colton Lopez,
Justin Ludwig, Casey Larson and Ben Shank.
that demonstrated what the firefighters
did during their five weeks
at the academy.
Firefighter Ludwig spoke on
behalf of the new hires. He
thanked the friends and family
present for all their support and
also to the department for allowing
them the opportunity to serve
the public.
38 | pasomagazine.com Paso Robles Magazine, May 2019