City of Riverside Fire Chief Michael Moore Announces Intent to Retire
Published: 4/19/2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 19, 2024
Contact:
Phil Pitchford
Public Information Officer
951-826-5975
City of Riverside Fire Chief Michael Moore Announces Intent to Retire
Veteran of fire service for 42 years has been city’s Fire Chief for past decade
RIVERSIDE, Calif. – City of Riverside Fire Chief Michael Moore, who has been Chief for nearly 10 years, announced that he plans to retire in September. The announcement today (4/19) coincides with the 42nd anniversary of his first day in the fire service.
Moore, who also served as Riverside’s Interim City Manager for seven months during 2022-23, led the Riverside Fire Department to become one of only five fire agencies in California to be both accredited and an ISO Class 1 department as recognized by the Insurance Service Office. Only 13 percent of the U.S. population benefits from the protection of an accredited agency.
“My four decades in the fire service represent a dream come true in terms of public service,” Moore said. “I’ve been blessed to work with thousands of exemplary individuals who made it their life’s work to protect the public. That has especially been true during my time here in Riverside, where the commitment to excellence remains strong.”
During his tenure, Moore helped lead the City’s response through the COVID-19 pandemic, overseeing the Emergency Operations Team and working to bring the first vaccinations and protective measures to the city and county. He also was actively involved in the formation of Measure Z, the one-cent sales tax that voters approved for restoring and enhancing public safety.
As a result of the passage of Measure Z in 2016, the Fire Department has replaced more than 25 old fire trucks and specialized pieces of equipment and added operations and administrative personnel to support the mission. Moore has hired nearly 100 of the department’s current 225 firefighters, and the department continues to look at critical unfunded needs and staffing going forward.
Moore became the new 21st Fire Chief for the City of Riverside in August 2014. His vision for the department included creating a culture of Family oriented (internally, externally and community), Friendly and Fit Firefighters (Mentally, Physically and Spiritually). To support this culture, he directed the Firefighter Peer Support Program, Care Support Dog and Santa Ana College Wellness Program.
Moore spent his first 32½ years with the Orange County Fire Authority where he worked his way through the OCFA ranks serving as a Firefighter, Paramedic, Engineer, Assistant Fire Training Officer, Fire Captain, and Executive Management Administrative Fire Captain, Battalion Chief and Division Chief. As Division Chief, he served as the local Fire Chief for Yorba Linda, Tustin, Placentia, Villa Park and Irvine.
During Moore’s tenure in Riverside, the Fire Department, assisted by funding from Measure Z, elevated its rating from Insurance Services Office (ISO) Class 2 to the highest awarded level – ISO Class 1. This highly regarded distinction reflects the department’s commitment to providing quality public safety services through faster response times, more firefighters and paramedics, and additional truck companies.
Under Moore’s leadership, the city also replaced the majority of the existing front-line apparatus and moved some of the older units into the reserve fleet. He has been the Fire Department’s overarching voice in many of the city’s major developments including CARB, UCR Expansions, Main Library and the Cheech. Chief Moore has committed to supporting the city in its search for the next Riverside City Fire Chief and transitioning with him or her.
“Michael Moore has served this city with honor and dedication, and we are better and safer for his efforts,” City Manager Mike Futrell said. “On behalf of all Riverside residents, students and business owners who have benefitted from his leadership, I thank him for his commitment to Riverside.”
Moore is a graduate of California State University Long Beach with Master’s Degree in Public Administration; Redlands University with a Bachelor’s in Management; Long Beach City College with an Associate’s Degree in Fire Science; and Santa Ana College with an Associate’s Degree in Paramedical Sciences. He is a California State Certified Instructor and Fire Officer; graduated from the National Fire Academy in Emmittsburg, Maryland, completing the four-year Executive Fire Officer Program; and recently completed training to become a California Executive Chief Officer. Chief Moore is also active in his fraternity - Sigma Pi Fi.
Moore plans to maintain a home in the Inland area with his wife of 41 years, Robyne. They have two adult children Candace (movie productions), Cameron (Los Angeles County Fire Department) and two beautiful grandchildren, Luna, age 3, and Lennox, age 2.
Moore said he plans to stay active in various church ministries and his hobbies, which include supporting his local sports teams (Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Rams), sports shooting, camping, working out at the local gym (walking, running, and bicycling), motorcycling, restoring 60’s and 70’s muscle cars and tracking his new Z06 Corvette.
