Paso Robles Fire and Emergency Services

2021 Annual Report

The City of Paso Robles Fire and Emergency Services Annual Report for 2021 outlines the department’s mission and core values, history, annual achievements, and statistics. In this report, residents will find detailed information about response standards, performance measurements, number of EMS and fire incidents, significant events, community risk reduction efforts, financials, and community engagement. Paso Robles Fire and Emergency Services will actively use this report to examine their own practices to ensure effective and efficient services are provided to the community. Several deficiencies have been identified in this report. These identified deficiencies will assist the City Council and oversight committee in determining how Measure J-20 funding could be utilized. Download the report (PDF)

Department History

Paso Robles Fire and Emergency Services (PRFES) has existed since the early 1890’s as a volunteer fire department. In the early 1990’s the department transitioned to a combination fire department, employing both volunteer and career firefighters. In 2003, the department transitioned to a full-time career department.

PRFES service area includes 19.9 square miles, and we also provide automatic and mutual aid to other fire agencies within San Luis Obispo County. PRFES provides a variety of response services, including structural and wildland fire suppression, advanced life support paramedic level emergency medical care, and entrapment extrication. PRFES provides technical rescue services including high-angle, trench, swift-water, and confined space. Finally, PRFES provides fully capable hazardous materials emergency response in conjunction with the San Luis Obispo County Regional Hazardous Materials Team.

9-1-1 calls are answered by the Paso Robles Police Department as the public safety answering point. Requests for ambulance services are transferred to the San Luis Obispo County Sherriff’s Office (MEDCOM), a multi-agency public safety dispatch center.

There are 37 full-time personnel involved in delivering services to the jurisdiction. Administration staff consists of the Fire Chief and Administrative Assistant. The Community Risk Reduction Division includes one Fire Marshal and one Fire Prevention Specialist. The Operations Division consists of three Battalion Chiefs and 30 Firefighters.

Staffing coverage for emergency response is through the use of career firefighters on a 48-hour shift. For immediate response, no less than three paramedic fire engines are staffed, and nine firefighters are on-duty at all times. Currently, emergency resources respond out of two fire stations with a third fire station expected to be constructed by early 2022.

The total fire department general fund budget for FY 2021/2022 is $8.0 million. The fire department’s operating funds are supplemented primarily from sales taxes, Measure J-20, transient occupancy tax (TOT) and property taxes. The fire department also receives funds from service and permit fees.

About the Chief

Chief Stornetta began his emergency services career in 1991 and proudly joined Paso Robles Fire and Emergency Services as a Firefighter/Paramedic in 2001. Thereafter, he promoted to Fire Captain/Paramedic, Battalion Chief, and then to Fire Chief in 2017. Chief Stornetta has now served the City and citizens of Paso Robles full-time for over 20 years.

Chief Stornetta is a member of the San Luis Obispo County Ambulance Performance Operations Committee and Emergency Medical Care Committee. He also served multiple years on a Cal Fire Type 1 Incident Management Team and now serves as an Incident Commander for the San Luis Obispo County Type 3 Incident Management Team. Click here to read a message from the Chief.