The Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce recently honored College of the Mainland graduate Jonathan Burns, 27, of Santa Fe, as public servant of the year. 

“It’s a great job. I love it. I wouldn’t trade it for the world,” said Burns. “It’s a new adventure every day.”
 
The Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce Public Servant of the Year Award rotates between fire, emergency medical services and police departments. Santa Fe fire chief Tommy Anderson named Burns for the award.
 
“Jonathan was selected as Fireman of the Year for Santa Fe Fire and Rescue for 2014 for his hard work and dedication to serving his community,” said Santa Fe Fire Department Assistant Chief Chris Anderson. “Jonathan is a great asset to our department and deserves the title of Public Servant of the Year for 2014.”

Burns has been a volunteer with Santa Fe Fire Department since 2008 and was recently hired by the Galveston Fire Department.

In 2009 Burns earned Rookie of the Year with the Santa Fe Fire Department and in 2014 was Firefighter of the Year.
 
Responding to fires, car accidents and medical emergencies, Burns said the job offers challenges and rewards.
 
“I was getting gas this morning and (a man) said ‘Thank you for your service and all that you do’,” said Burns.
 
“You wake up in the middle of the night but when you get ‘thank you’ it makes it all worth it.”