But once the reluctant 19-year-old was in, he found it hard to leave, and tonight he will receive a 25-year Fire Service award.
The brigade had become like an extended family and the opportunity to help the community was a compelling reason to stay, he said yesterday.
Mr Fisher (44) has lived in Wanaka since he was 12, after moving with his family from Kaikoura.
His introduction to the brigade came when a friend encouraged him to take part in a Wajax forestry competition.
"He asked me if I wanted to do it and I said, `No, not really.' But I got talked into it. You didn't have to be in the fire brigade for that competition. Then he said, `You should join the fire brigade', and I said, `I don't want to do that'. But it went on and that was it, really. Once you are in, you are in," Mr Fisher said.
There had been many changes over the years, with more intensive training at recruitment level and in a wide range of fire and rescue services, he said.
He had attended many of the major fire and road crash accidents throughout the Upper Clutha district over the years and said he never lost the feeling of concern that friends might be injured or have died.
That was an issue all rural brigades had to deal with and Victim Support volunteers were always available, he said.
"You just get on with the job."
Mr Fisher said he would recommend fire brigade service.
"It is good for meeting people. And I get satisfaction from helping people," he said.
Upper Clutha volunteer firefighters will come together for the annual service awards dinner at the Lake Wanaka Centre tonight.
