Oak Bluffs selectmen said this week they have begun networking with other fire department heads, on Island and on Cape Cod, as they begin to map a transition plan for the fire department.

Fire chief John Rose resigned under pressure two weeks ago. Deputy chief Shawn Broadley will retire effective Feb. 17. Assistant chief Manuel Rose, brother of John Rose, will take command following the departure of the deputy chief, the town had previously announced.

In a brief update at their regular meeting Tuesday, selectmen said they are working with Tisbury fire chief John Schilling, Edgartown fire chief Alex Schaeffer and George Baker, a former fire chief in Mashpee. Although few specifics were outlined, board chairman Brian Packish thanked the neighboring towns for their support. “So far everybody has stepped up tremendously, we have people going the extra mile and putting in the extra effort to make sure everybody stays safe,” he said. “They are serving the town and spend a great amount of their time protecting our citizens, we have the utmost respect for them and for what they do.”

Mr. Packish said a working group is being formed to help guide the transition.

“The overall message is everything is in place, things are moving along nicely and everybody is stepping up,” he said.

Selectman Greg Coogan echoed the praise for the neighboring towns. “It’s impressive to me the amount of cooperation in the emergency department that has always been there,” he said. “They step up whenever something happens and I wish all the towns could share that type of connection.”

Also Tuesday selectmen released the minutes of a meeting they held with members of the fire and EMS department on Feb. 1, the day Mr. Rose resigned.