Accreditation Process

My department is going through the accreditation process right now. So far things have been relatively painless. The department comprises five independently chartered fire companies, but because our leadership is generally on the same page, we are able to function as a department with a fire services administrator, our own budget within the township, and have moved along in a step by step process setting achievable goals year by year. This year we begin our strategic plan. This is both a township request, and I believe a part of accreditation, and is also where I think things might derail a little bit.

Does anyone have experience with the strategic planning process and some best practices for keeping the good of the department versus individual companies at the forefront of planning?

Chris Mc Loone