By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

HARRISON — Before diving into a 60-plus page study that provides some guidance and strategic planning for Harrison’s Fire-Rescue Department future, consultant David Houghton made clear his role.

“Don’t ask me my opinion,” the project manager at Municipal Resources Inc. said. “You are the decision makers.”

Houghton fielded several questions Tuesday night during a public information session at Harrison Elementary School. He described the process used to determine current practices and evaluation of existing equipment, and then reviewed some recommendations made in the Fire Study.

“What you have in here (this report and recommendations) are based on common fire practices used in other communities,” said Houghton, who has been involved in fire service for 42 years (“I’m still living it, and doing it, he said). “...In the end, you need to decide what direction you want to head in since you will be the ones spending the money.”

Resident Steve MacFarland questioned whether the town needed a “shiny, new red” fire truck carrying a $1 million price tag or if the town could be a little creative and outfit some pick-up trucks with fire-fighting equipment? Or, whether the town could look into smaller fire trucks that carry smaller sticker prices?

Houghton clarified that the smaller trucks MacFarland referred to were designed to fight forest and brush fires, not suitable for fighting structure or vehicle fires. He noted that since Harrison lacks hydrant service in many parts of the community, the bigger truck is needed to transport water, as well a crew of firefighters to a fire scene. A town’s fire insurance rating, which affects homeowner insurance, could take a hit if certain equipment standards are not met.

As for fire truck costs, Houghton painted a bleak picture in terms of both sticker shock and how long it takes for a new truck to arrive at a fire house. With mandates changes in engines and emission standards, the price is inching closer to $1.5 to $1.8 million on a truck that a short time ago cost $750,000. One a town signs on the dotted line to buy a new truck, it can now take two to three years before it reaches the local fire house.

Resident Deb Kane asked what the timeline might be like for the town to implement some of the recommendations being made by MRI?

Again, residents will decide — whether to act right now or place the Fire Study on the shelf temporarily. The Fire Study suggests a four-year approach. In MRI’s viewpoint, the first big move is to switch from a part-time chief to a full-time, salaried chief.

“The day-to-day management coupled with EMS needs and the increased role of Emergency Management Director create more responsibilities and job functions than a part-time chief can handle effectively,” the study said.

If the shift is made, MRI could handle the initial application process of seeking out candidates, review their qualifications and score each applicant using certain criteria to determine their ability to take on the chief’s role. Once the top two or three candidates are identified, those applicants move on for a review by the Select Board and Town Manager. They too will develop scores for the candidates. Those scores will then be added to the scores made by MRI, and the successful candidate for chief will emerge.

Houghton pointed out that a wide net should be cast for the chief’s position. The current chief (Dana Laplante) would be invited to apply for the job.

One resident asked if a job description had been developed for the full-time chief’s position, noting if he is going to spend more money on the position, he wants to know what he is getting. Houghton said developing a job description was not part of the Fire Study contract, but he could quickly provide the town with one, if requested.

With a full-time chief in place, the chief should then tackle developing job descriptions for every position, identifying roles and responsibilities “that are expected.” The chief would also develop a Capital Improvement Plan to address replacement of apparatus, equipment and facilities over the next 20 years.

One facility issue at Harrison FD is the lack of an exhaust system at the fire house to move “the black smoke” when engines fire up to the outdoors. Houghton said federal grants are available to address this need. A full-time chief likely would have the time needed to write the grant and submit it.

Based on their evaluation of Harrison in terms of size and population, Houghton does not see a need now or into the foreseeable future for a full-time department. Some discussion ensued about the difficulty recruiting new members to the fire company and retention. One big obstacle is the escalating amount of training time required, a commitment many younger residents are unwilling to commit to.

Houghton remembers a time when for every one fire-fighting position in New Hampshire opened there would be 35 or more applicants. Today, there are 245 fire positions that remain unfilled.

Another Year 1 recommendation is truck replacement, since it currently takes 24 to 36 months for fire trucks to be built.

Resident Rick Sykes questioned whether there should be a quick push to place some of the recommendations onto this coming June’s town warrant. When asked if the study was “rushed” in comparison to other evaluations MRI has done, Houghton said the N.H. firm did have a “shorter window” to produce a report. The contract called for the study to be completed within 70 days — a submission date of March 22.

One resident asked how many studies has MRI done, specifically Houghton and how many involved Maine communities? Houghton said his number is in the 40s, and counting last year, he has completed five studies in Maine.

Sykes suggested a committee be formed to take a closer look at the study and its recommendations. He wondered if some recommendations may already be done or are in the process, whether some are valid or not, and whether others can be considered “future” endeavors.

When Sykes cautioned against “cherry picking” certain elements to include on this June’s warrant while other elements might then land on a town office shelf to collect dust, Town Manager Cass Newell countered that officials did not “rush into this” and the wheels to find a firm to conduct the fire study started to turn last year. It took time to select a firm and determine where the money would come from to pay for it.

Since turnout Tuesday was somewhat light compared to past fire department needs discussions, possibly due to the SAD 17 budget vote held on the same night, officials will hold a second public info session this coming Tuesday, May 21 at 6 p.m. at Harrison Elementary School.

Newell noted that the Select Board is prepared to call a special meeting to discuss feedback from the public regarding what the town’s next step might be and whether to include an article on this year’s town meeting warrant.

Copies of the Fire Study Report is available on the town’s website.