Ty Lewis

The city of Paso Robles announced the hires last week of both a new police chief and fire chief, neither of whom are new faces in North County.

City Manager Tom Frutchey appointed Police Commander Ty Lewis to replace retiring Chief Robert Burton. Meanwhile, Frutchey removed Jonathan Stornetta’s interim tag, making him Paso Robles’s official fire chief. The city stated in news releases that Lewis was hired following a “competitive” internal recruitment process, while Stornetta was appointed full-time fire chief after an external recruitment process that included six different panels over two days.

Lewis has served on the Paso Robles force since 2002, rising up the ranks from officer. Prior to becoming a Paso Robles policeman, he served as an officer in Porterville and Bakersfield. Lewis will formally take over as police chief on July 15.

“Commander Lewis has proven himself to be a strong and supportive leader who has the community’s best interest at heart. I have no doubt he will make an excellent police chief, working hand in hand with the community and police department to enhance public safety,” Frutchey said in a statement.

Jonathan Stornetta

Stornetta, who was born and raised in Atascadero and is a fourth generation North County resident, has spent 17 years with the Paso Robles Fire Department since joining the agency in 2001 as a firefighter/paramedic. He has served as interim chief since last October.

“Jonathan’s thorough understanding of the community’s values and needs, combined with his passion for leading our department into the future, extensive technical expertise and years of field experience, make for a uniquely qualified fire chief,” Frutchey said.