There's a New Fire Chief in Stepney

Shawn Cornut's uncle encouraged him to join the Stepney Volunteer Fire Department as a Junior Firefighter when he was 15, and the Monroe native steadily rose through the ranks ever since. He was a lieutenant, captain, assistant chief and deputy chief. Now, after a decisive vote among his peers, Cornut takes over as chief at age 37.

Cornut is replacing outgoing chief, Michael Klemish, who served in the role for the past seven years.

"It was time for a change and I think the membership felt I was the guy for the job — and I'm proud of that," Cornut said Monday. "It's a big job, but I feel up to the task. I don't think you should be an officer if you don't strive to get to the top."

Cornut, a carpenter who does maintenance for Monroe Public Schools, and his wife, Alexis, live in town with their two children, Samantha, 8, and Shawn Jr., 6. Both are enrolled at Stepney Elementary School (the same school Cornut went to growing up).

Being a firefighter is in Cornut's blood. His uncle, Craig Cornut, served as a lieutenant for the Stepney Fire Co. and his grandfather, who passed away on Aug. 20, was an assistant chief for the department in 1947 after having served in World War II.

As Stepney's new chief, Shawn Cornut said he wants to continue the positive relationship among the town's three volunteer fire companies: Stepney, Monroe and Stevenson.

One project already on Cornut's plate is having an underground cistern holding water for a dry hydrant installed at Stanley and Judd roads. He said the ultimate goal is improving public safety in town.

As he takes the helm of Stepney Fire, Cornut is grateful to Klemish, who appointed him as captain after he had been voted in as chief seven years ago.

"Mike brought us into the 21st Century communications with new apparatus," Cornut said, adding the department replaced trucks from 1971 and '78 with a modern engine holding significantly more gallons of water. "We worked well together. I learned from him."