John Fisher has served the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department for over three decades, the last fifteen as a battalion chief.  He began his career as a firefighter in 1981 volunteering in departments in Connecticut and Ohio prior to moving to California.

Chief Fisher has responded to major incidents with a Federal Interagency Incident Management Team for over twenty-five years, primarily as a Planning Section Chief.  He also served as a Planning Team Manager for FEMA/OES California Task Force 8, where he responded to the World Trade Center and several hurricanes.  Additionally, he was both Program Manager and Incident Commander on the San Diego All-Hazards Type 3 IMT.  He is a qualified Planning Section Chief, Division/Group Supervisor, Situation Unit Leader, and Resources Unit Leader among other qualifications.  He has also worked as an Operations Section Chief and Fire Behavior Analyst, bringing real world experience to his instruction.

Chief Fisher has taught strategy and building construction on a national level at Firehouse World where he pioneered bringing the classroom to the street by conducting walking tours where students could get a first-hand glimpse of many different construction types.  He also instructs locally as an adjunct instructor for Miramar College and several other agencies.

John tries to live by the motto, “Two hundred years of tradition – enhanced by progress.”  He brings the latest science and case studies to his teaching, while remembering and learning from the past.