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Paso Robles Fire Chief Ken Johnson retires 

ken johnson paso robles retires fire cheif

Photo by Dick Mason.

Johnson served as Paso Robles chief for 15 years and a firefighter for 36 years

–Retiring Paso Robles Fire Chief Ken Johnson was honored at Tuesday’s Paso Robles City Council Meeting. Johnson’s retirement is effective March 3, bringing a close to a 36-year career as a firefighter and fire chief.  He and his wife will enjoy a brief vacation in Hawaii, then return to Paso Robles so his wife can get back to work.

Johnson said that first on his list of things to do upon retirement is grab his truck keys and dog and head out exploring the Western United States. “I have some work opportunities that are in different fields, but I’ve always wanted to travel and see the places I haven’t seen yet. This is the perfect opportunity to do that, unplug and restart.” Johnson said he intends to continue to be engaged in the community and is looking forward to being a granddad, “on call for the grandkids.”

Johnson said that the city’s hesitancy to increase personnel is a factor in his retirement. “Fire suppression is only one part of what we do,” said Johnson. “Our staff of 21 responds to not only to fires, are the first to respond to medical emergencies, rescues, hazardous materials and other emergency responses in addition to other activities like fire inspections.” Johnson said there were only 12 firefighters when he was hired as chief and he was able to help build the department to 27 full-time and one half-time firefighters. The department was cut to 20 during the recession. Since 2008 only one position has been added, bringing the department to the 21 firefighters it has today.

In 2016 the city hired City Gate Associates to analyze staffing and operations of the department. The “Fire Services Review” report was presented at the Nov. 15 city council meeting. “The results showed we are woefully shy of what needs to be done,” said Johnson. There was a workshop scheduled for Jan. 12 to continue the discussion about the report and to hear public input, but Johnson said that the workshop has been rescheduled for a future date since his resignation.

“Now that Keith has moved on to a new job, it just seemed like the right time for me to retire,” said Johnson, referring to the Dec. resignation of Battalion Chief Keith Aggson, who accepted a fire captain position in San Luis Obispo. “There truly is no better job,” said Johnson.Ken johnson fire

“It is an honorable profession. We get to help people out in the worst times in their lives.” Johnson became a firefighter after deciding the Marine Corp was, “not the career for me. My dad was a firefighter so I decided to check it out as an option.” Before accepting the fire chief position in Paso Robles, Johnson served as fire chief in Union Gap, Washington and in Grand Junction, Colorado.

When asked about some of his most memorable experiences in his career, Johnson said, “The way this department and community turned out during the 2003 San Simeon earthquake.”

“We had eight people on duty and within four hours, all staff had turned up to work, most even before we could call them in. One guy drove all the way up from Palm Springs. He heard about the earthquake on the news and knew he was needed. The community reaction reinforced my first impression that contributed to my wife and I moving here. People pitched in doing what needed to be done, rendering aid to their neighbors, directing traffic, I even had companies calling and volunteering heavy equipment to help where it was needed.”

Johnson also has some advice for young people who want to become firefighters: “It’s about the simple things. It’s about drive and focus. Be polite and nice. Keep your commitments. Be on time. Be the right person at the right time. Be prepared because you never know what your day is going to be. The only things routine is the time you start and stop work.”

Of the firefighting staff he works with, Johnson said “The people in this department are a very competent bunch. Work volume has increased and they still get the job done. This department’s staff knows what to do.”

“It would be difficult to consider being anything else than a fireman,” said Johnson. “but this community is full of volunteer opportunities, and I’ll be very busy.” Johnson intends to spend more time hunting, fishing, and pursuing his interest in photography.

Paso Robles Mayor Steve Martin said, “Ken has been a great fire chief. I hate to see him go, but that is his decision.” Martin said the position will be filled as soon as possible with an Interim Fire Chief and then the recruitment search for Fire Chief will begin. Martin also said that, based on the Citygate report, the city will be holding a public workshop and has plans to form a citizen committee to help implement the recommendations in the report. There is no set date yet, but Martin said, “Sooner than later.”

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About the author: Reporter Jackie Iddings

Jackie Iddings is a contributing reporter and photographer for the Paso Robles Daily News.