Madbury, Lee, and Barrington Fire Collaboration Working Group

Regional Fire Collaboration Working Group Charge

1. Purpose:
   The Fire Collaboration Working Group is established jointly by the Select Boards of Madbury, Lee, and Barrington to explore increased fire department collaboration and a framework for regionalization that delivers efficient, sustainable, and high-quality fire and emergency services to the three communities.

1. Goals and Responsibilities:
   1. Evaluate and Define Options
      1. Review and assess models for collaborative fire service delivery, including operational, financial, staffing, and governance structures.
      2. Identify benefits, risks, and implementation considerations.
   2. Collect and Analyze Data
      1. Develop an inventory of personnel, apparatus, equipment, call volume, budgets, and facilities.
      2. Establish baseline response metrics and service expectations.
      3. Analyze costs, funding formulas, and opportunities for grants or shared savings.
   3. Engage Partners
      1. Meet with leaders from existing regional partners to understand their needs and concerns regarding increased collaboration.
         1. UNH Dispatch, McGregor, Frisbie, Seacoast Chiefs, and other mutual aid partners.
   4. Ensure Transparency and Public Engagement
      1. Provide regular updates to all three Select Boards.
      2. Prepare materials to educate the public about the process and opportunities.
      3. Facilitate channels for resident feedback and questions.
   5. Develop a Recommendation
      1. Create a collaboration continuum and detail the steps and resources required to achieve corresponding levels of collaboration.
         1. The start of the continuum would represent current fire operations among the three communities.  Each municipality has a chief, staff, apparatus, equipment, training programs, policies, and facilities separate from the other two communities.
         2. The end of the continuum, if deemed feasible, would be a regional fire district under RSA 52:1.  Such a recommendation would need to include recommended governance structure, staffing model, capital needs, cost-sharing approach, and timeline for implementation.
2. Composition:
   The Working Group shall be comprised of nine members, three from each community.  Five members represent a quorum.  The Barrington Town Administrator will serve as a facilitator.  The three members from each community are as follows:
   1. The Fire Chiefs (or designees) from Madbury, Lee, and Barrington
   2. One Select Board representative from each community (Town Administrator as backup)
   3. One citizen member from each town, to be appointed by their respective Select Board

1. Timeline:       
   The Working Group will begin meeting on August 5, 2025 and provide a preliminary report to a joint meeting of the Select Boards on November 10, 2025, with the option to continue work into 2026 as needed.  Meetings will be held at 6:00pm at the Barrington Town Hall with virtual participation available, unless otherwise posted. 

1. Meeting Schedule
   1. Tuesday, August 5, 2025 at 3pm
   2. Wednesday, August 27, 2025 at 6pm
   3. Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at 6pm
   4. Wednesday, September 24, 2025 at 6pm
   5. Wednesday, October 8, 2025 at 6pm
   6. Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at 6pm
   7. Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at 6pm
   8. Monday, November 10, 2025 at 6pm

1. Authority:
   The Working Group is advisory in nature. It will not make binding decisions but will develop well-informed recommendations for consideration by the Select Boards.
   1. Adopted by the Madbury Select Board on August 9, 2025
   2. Adopted by the Barrington Select Board on August 11, 2025
   3. Adopted by the Lee Select Board on September 2, 2025