The Valley Chronicle - FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department Welcomes New Fire Chief

Perris, CA – December 9, 2025: CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department announces the appointment of Robert Fish as the new CAL FIRE Riverside Unit/Riverside County Fire Chief, effective December 9, 2025. Chief Fish assumes the role following a structured transition under outgoing Fire Chief Bill Weiser, who retires after an exceptional 44-year career marked by operational leadership, instructional expertise, and significant contributions to statewide fire management.

Chief Fish began his fire service career in 1992 as a Volunteer Firefighter in Moreno Valley and later spent five years in the Perris Emergency Command Center as a Dispatch Clerk and Public Safety Communications Officer II. He promoted to Firefighter II Paramedic in 2001, advancing to Engineer Paramedic and Fire Captain Paramedic while serving communities across the Coachella Valley. In 2010, he joined the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Bureau as the EMS Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) and Education Coordinator, focusing on paramedic training, quality improvement, and clinical performance.

Promoted to Battalion Chief in the CAL FIRE San Diego Unit in 2015, Chief Fish returned to Riverside in 2017, later serving as Eastern Desert Division Chief and most recently, Deputy Chief of Eastern Operations.

Known for his collaborative leadership and operational depth, he brings more than three decades of experience in emergency services, interagency coordination, and firefighter development.

Chief Fish holds an associate degree in Fire Technology and a Bachelor of Science in Fire Engineering Protection and Administration. He is accredited as a Chief Fire Officer (CFO), Chief EMS Officer (CEMSO), and California Executive Chief Fire Officer and maintains his California Paramedic license.

The Department extends its deepest appreciation to outgoing Chief Bill Weiser, whose CAL FIRE career began in 1981. Chief Weiser progressed through the ranks as Seasonal Firefighter, Fire Apparatus Engineer, and Fire Captain—serving 19 years at the captain rank—before promoting to Battalion Chief in 2009 and Division Chief in 2015. He was appointed Fire Chief of the Riverside Unit in 2020. Throughout his career, Chief Weiser contributed extensively to fire behavior instruction, served 16 years on Incident Management Teams, led the development of local emergency evacuation plans, and worked alongside MIT Lincoln Labs to introduce the SCOUT command platform. His legacy is defined by innovation, mentorship, and steadfast commitment to firefighter safety and community preparedness.

The Department extends its sincere gratitude to Chief Weiser for his 44 years of exemplary service and congratulates Chief Fish on his well-deserved promotion.