The Regional Fire Authority Planning (RFA) Committee exploring fire-service consolidation in South Snohomish County will hear a presentation from labor groups representing local firefighters at its meeting Wednesday, Sept. 7.

The meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the Lakeview Room at Ballinger Lake Golf Course, 23000 Lakeview Dr., Mountlake Terrace. Brier, Edmonds, Lynnwood, Mill Creek, Mountlake Terrace, Mukilteo, Woodway and Snohomish County Fire Districts 1 and 7 formed the RFA Planning Committee in March to explore the possibility of creating an RFA. An RFA is a special purpose district created by a vote of the people. State law provides the framework for jurisdictions to consider forming an RFA as a way to gain service efficiencies through consolidations while retaining local control.

The RFA Planning Committee, made up of three elected officials from each of the participating agencies, will hear a presentation that “will give labor’s perspective on level of service as we consider integrating nine jurisdictions and four labor groups,” said Scott Hamilton, president of International Association of Fire Firefighters (IAFF) Local 1828 in Fire District 1.

He said the presentation was developed with input from the labor groups representing firefighters in all four fire departments that currently serve south Snohomish County: Lynnwood Fire Department, Mukilteo Fire Department, Fire District 1 (which serves unincorporated areas, Brier, Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace and Woodway) and Fire District 7 (which serves unincorporated areas and Mill Creek).

The RFA Planning Committee meeting will also include updates from subcommittees on finance, level of service and communications.

The RFA Planning Committee meets the first Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. All meetings are open to the public. The meeting location rotates among participating jurisdictions and is posted on the RFA Planning Committee website: www.rfa-planning.org. Agendas, minutes and planning documents are also available online.