Cathedral City Narrows Search for Fire Chief

Cathedral City’s search for next fire chief enters homestretch

CATHEDRAL CITY – City leaders are in the process of selecting candidates that will move forward in the interview process to become the next fire chief, Ryan Hunt, communications and events manager told Uken Report.

Interviews are scheduled for next week, he said. The new fire chief is expected to be on board in October.

Chief John Muhr’s official retirement date is Oct. 13, Hunt said. His is the second retirement in two years. The job was advertised at an hourly wage of $83.59 – $109.41.

Muhr was one of a six finalists selected to interview for the position through a national search conducted by Bob Murray and Associates.

Muhr filled the role left vacant when Paul S. Wilson retired. Wilson announced his retirement from the city effective May 28, 2020. He and his wife, Pam, moved to Mesa, Ariz., to be near — and help take care of — his elderly mother

Chief Muhr started his firefighting career in 1988 with the Orange County Fire Authority.  He served 18 years (1991-2009) with the Hemet Fire Department while advancing in his career from firefighter to Battalion Chief before joining the Cathedral City Fire Department in 2009 as a Battalion Chief.   His experience includes Emergency Preparedness, Operations, and Training.  He holds an associate degree in Fire Administration from Santa Ana College, a bachelor’s degree in Fire Administration from Columbia Southern University, and a master’s degree in Public Administration from Grand Canyon University.  From 2013 to 2015, he also taught fire safety as an Adjunct Professor for Columbia Southern University.

Locally, he has been active in Cathedral City’s community outreach programs and festivals, the Boys and Girls Club of Cathedral City, and a mentor for the Cathedral City High School Mentor Program.