New Menifee fire chief, departing fire captain honored

New Menifee fire chief Lonny Olson addresses the Menifee City Council during Wednesday's meeting.

The Menifee City Council welcomed Menifee’s new fire chief and honored a departing local fire captain at Wednesday’s meeting.

Lonny Olson, a longtime local resident who has served at many local fire stations, was introduced as the new Menifee fire chief. He started his career as a volunteer firefighter with Station 68 on Murrieta Road, then volunteered at Quail Valley Station 5 before working his way up to captain with Station 76 on Menifee Road.

Olson holds the rank of division chief with Cal Fire.

At the same council meeting, departing Menifee fire captain Scott Philipbar was recognized for his years of service to the community. Philipbar served eight years in Menifee, including duties at Station 5 and Station 76. He has been promoted to battalion chief of the EMS Bureau of Cal Fire.

In Menifee, Philipbar was instrumental in the formation of community training programs in CPR, first aid and use of the defibrillator machine.

Fire captain Scott Philibar was honored by the City Council for his years of service to the community.