Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §9001, as repealed and replaced by PL 1987, c. 124, §3 and amended by PL 1989, c. 878, Pt. I, §12, is further amended to read:

§9001. Maine Fire Training and Education Program

The president may shall conduct programs to provide fire training and education for members of municipal fire departments, incorporated volunteer fire departments, industrial fire brigades, institutional fire brigades and the general public, to be known as the Maine Fire Training and Education Program.

1. Voluntary participation. The president may not require participation in these programs by a member of a municipal fire department, incorporated volunteer fire department, industrial fire brigades brigade, institutional fire brigades brigade or the general public nor use participation in Maine fire training and education programs as a condition of eligibility to receive funds for training and education programs.

2. Fees. The president may charge a fee for the training and education of private industrial fire brigades. The amount of the fee shall must reflect, but not be limited to, instructional, material and administrative costs.

3.__Program duties.__The Maine Fire Training and Education Program shall provide a centralized training resource center for firefighters of the State and shall strengthen firefighter training and education by:

A.__Increasing by 50% the number of firefighters trained in 1998 in local communities statewide.__Training must be offered annually and must be free of charge;

B.__Increasing grant funds available to local communities to support construction of specialized training facilities where the State's firefighters can practice life-saving skills;

C.__Providing all firefighters with the opportunity for fire science education and leadership education through available distance learning technologies, including interactive television and the Internet;

D.__Ensuring that local fire departments have current training and education materials and equipment to prepare members for fires and other community emergencies;