Cathedral City hires replacement for Chief John Muhr after his retirement

Cathedral City has hired a new fire chief to succeed Fire Chief John Muhr after his retirement on Oct. 13.

Michael Contreras will take the helm of the Cathedral City Fire Department after working for 32 years at the Orange County Fire Authority. He was one of six finalists chosen to be interviewed for the position, the city said in a press release.

“After a comprehensive national search, I’m confident we’ve found the right leader for the Cathedral City Fire Department,” said City Manager Charlie McClendon in the release. “Michael’s experience and leadership skills are obvious, but he’s also a proven relationship builder and collaborator who recognizes the current challenges and opportunities that come with being a fire chief in the 21st century.”

At the Orange County Fire Authority, Contreras has served as a member of its executive leadership team, managed its day-to-day operations and overseen nine fire stations, the city said. He is also a member of the urban search and rescue team.

Contreras has also held other positions at OCFA such as training officer, recruit academy instructor, academy fitness coordinator, academy coordinator, department safety officer, hazardous material specialist and assistant public information officer, the city added.

The date Contreras will begin his position as fire chief has not been finalized, said City Spokesperson Ryan Hunt.

Muhr is retiring after 12 years with the Cathedral City Fire Department. The city had announced Muhr would be fire chief on Oct. 21, 2020.

There was an investigation into employee misconduct at the Cathedral City Fire Department from May 3 to June 29, but the city would not release any details due to it being a personnel manner. Hunt said the allegations were found to be either unfounded or unsustained.

Muhr was not involved in the investigation and it was unrelated to his decision to retire, which he informed McClendon about around six to eight months ago, Hunt added.

Ani Gasparyan covers the western Coachella Valley cities of Desert Hot Springs and Cathedral City. Reach her at ani.gasparyan@desertsun.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Cathedral City hires replacement fire chief following Muhr's retirement