With his wife Amy at his side, Fire Chief John Muhr took the ceremonial Oath of Office during the City Council meeting on Tuesday evening. Chief Muhr now leads this important department that serves our residents and visitors with fire suppression and ambulance services.
Chief Muhr has more than 30 years of firefighting experience including 10 years with the Cathedral City Fire Department. He was one of a six finalists selected to interview for the position through a national search conducted by Bob Murray and Associates. Chief Muhr started his firefighting career in 1988 with the Orange County Fire Authority. He served eighteen 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’s 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.