Newly appointed Riverside County Fire Chief Robert Fish was sworn in Tuesday during the Riverside County Board of Supervisors meeting in an emotional ceremony.
“On November 10, 2025, Director Cal Fire, Chief [Joe] Tyler, appointed you as the Cal Fire Riverside Unit Chief,” retiring Fire Chief Bill Weiser said at the December 9 meeting. “Today, December 9, you have been appointed by the Riverside County Board of Supervisors to be the fire chief for Riverside County Fire Department. Sir, I stand to be relieved.”
“Chief Weiser, you are relieved,” Fish responded, to a standing ovation from the audience. “Congratulations on your retirement.”
Outgoing Chief Bill Weiser returned to the audience after being relieved of duty to join the standing ovation for newly appointed Chief Robert Fish. (Alicia Ramirez/The Riverside Record) 
Chief Bill Weiser affixes two five-bugle pins to the collar of Chief Robert Fish’s shirt. (Alicia Ramirez/The Riverside Record) 
Newly sworn in Chief Robert Fish relieves retiring Chief Bill Weiser of his duty. (Alicia Ramirez/The Riverside Record)
Before leaving the dais, Weiser, whose retirement is effective December 31, adorned the collar of Fish’s shirt with two five-bugle pins, reserved for fire chiefs. Fish’s wife, Ann, finished his uniform, pinning his new badge on the left side of his jacket.
“I get to lead the 1,800 men and women who comprise the Riverside County Fire Department and represent them,” Fish said in an interview with The Riverside Record. “They’re the ones, on a daily basis, that do the hard work. I just get to be the show pony for them, and it’s a great honor.”
Fish began his fire service career in 1992 as a volunteer firefighter in Moreno Valley, later spending five years in the Perris Emergency Command Center as a dispatch clerk and public safety communications officer. Most recently, Fish served as the Deputy Chief of Eastern Operations, managing a territory that extended from Beaumont to Blythe and included supervising Cal Fire operations in 10 of the 19 cities that contract with the county for emergency services.
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“The department’s in such good hands with Chief Fish taking over,” Weiser said in an interview with The Record. “He has a vision for the future and what’s going to be right for his department in the next years to come.”
Fish has an associates degree in fire technology, a bachelor of science degree in fire engineering protection and administration and is accredited as a chief fire officer, chief EMS officer and California executive chief fire officer and maintains his state paramedic license. He is taking over for Weiser, who is retiring following a 44-year career.
“Chief Weiser has been the most transformative fire chief in my career,” Fish said in an interview with The Record. “He has propelled our department forward on a trajectory that is one of excellence. It’s intimidating to have to step into those shoes, but he’s left me a platform in which to springboard forward with a great staff and great vision for the future.”
Weiser was appointed fire chief in 2020, following the retirement of Chief Shawn Newman. Weiser started his career in 1981 and has spanned several positions within the Cal Fire Riverside Unit, including as a training captain at the Ben Clark Training Center, battalion chief for the Perris Battalion and division chief overseeing operations in Bautista Camp, Hemet Ryan Air Base, the San Jacinto and Mountain Battalions as well as the hazardous materials emergency response program.
“I think Chief Weiser exemplifies the best of Riverside County, and is very reflective of the men and women of Riverside County Fire,” Supervisor Jose Medina said at the meeting. “And getting to know now Chief Fish, I know that Chief Weiser is leaving our county fire [department] in very good hands.”
Following the ceremony, Weiser’s wife, Amanda, gently removed the two five-bugle pins adorning the collar of his shirt outside of the chambers as he looked up at her.
“It’s just a signifying of a transfer of command,” Fish said in an interview with The Record. “Something that’s surprisingly emotional.”
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