The Firefighters are entitled to have six representatives (excluding the Administrator of the Health Plan) released for contractual negotiations. The members of the Firefighter bargaining team shall receive ninety days release time prior to the beginning of bargaining over the next collective bargaining agreement which release time shall terminate upon ratification of a new contract or on December 31, 2002, whichever occurs first. Additional time shall be granted for fact finding and conciliation hearing dates. Any other release time for preparation of the latter shall be as needed with any dispute over release time being resolved with an agreed upon third party on an expedited basis.