The initial Planning Committee meeting for considering the feasibility of establishing a Regional Fire Authority (RFA) will take place at 6 p.m. on Wednesday at the Woodinville Fire & Rescue Headquarter Station, 17718 Woodinville-Snohomish Rd. NE.

The meet’s agenda is posted online.

Currently, the city of Bothell operates its own fire department. A Regional Fire Authority would combine local departments and districts, creating a special purpose district through a vote of the people.

State law provides the framework for forming a Regional Fire Authority in order to create efficiencies while still maintaining local control. If the planning committee finds that a Regional Fire Authority in this area is feasible, it would then need to be approved by the elected bodies of the city of Bothell, Woodinville Fire and Rescue, Northshore Fire District and Snohomish Fire District 10 before a measure will be placed before voters. The process is expected to take at least a year.