HICKORY — The Hickory Fire Department announced the retirement of Battalion Chief Chad Fisher after nearly three decades of service to the department and Hickory residents, the city said July 1, 2026.
Fisher joined in November 1997. The city said he served with professionalism, leadership, and commitment and worked through the ranks, including Deputy Chief of Administration and Operations. Specialized training listed includes Emergency Vehicle Driving, Rapid Intervention Teams, Firefighter Safety and Survival, and the Swedish Flashover Simulator.
Certifications through the North Carolina Fire and Rescue Commission include Level II firefighter, Technical Rescuer, Level II Fire Instructor, Hazardous Materials Operations Technician, and Fire and Life Safety Educator Levels I through III. In 2000 he became certified as an Emergency Medical Technician and is also a Nationally Registered EMT.
The city said he completed the Fire Officer Level III program along with Leadership I, II, and III; earned Level 1 Fire Inspector certification; graduated from Cleveland Community College in 2019 with an associate’s degree in Fire Protection Technology; and in 2022 received a bachelor’s degree from Fayetteville State University in Fire and Emergency Services Administration.
Outside the fire service, Fisher enjoys hunting, fishing, and time with family. He is married to Samantha, and they have a daughter, Emma. After retirement, Fisher said he looks forward to his next chapter.
The department extended appreciation for his years of faithful service and wished him and his family well in retirement.
The July 1 notice does not list a last-duty date, a public ceremony, or a successor.
Official release from City of Hickory, July 1, 2026. https://www.hickorync.gov/hickory-fire-department-announces-retirement-battalion-chief-chad-fisher
