Battalion Chief Bischof transfers to Hemet Air Attack Base

Josh Bischof, Battalion 13 Chief serving Menifee in the Riverside County Fire Department, will be leaving the City through a transfer to the Department's Hemet Ryan Air Attack Base.

Bischof will serve as Battalion Chief at Cal Fire's Air Attack Base and the Fire Aviation program. He said he will supervise operations of the Cal Fire helicopter and air tankers assigned to the Hemet Ryan base. In response to incidents, Bischof will be in the Air Attack plane as the Air Tactical Group Supervisor, overseeing resources and air traffic control during vegetation fires.

During the Holy Fire in the mountains west of Lake Elsinore in August 2018, Bischof supervised Cal Fire's aerial attack, directing air tanker drops in the area.

"It has been my pleasure to work here in Menifee for the past 3½ years," Bischof told Menifee 24/7. "Although I will be in a new position, I still live here in Menifee and will be involved in the community and be around the Battalion."

Bischof said his transfer is effective on Monday but he would remain administratively involved in Menifee during the transition to a new Battalion Chief.