(a) The Arkansas Fire Protection Services Board shall:

(1) Prescribe by regulation minimum standards for the certification of fire departments and standards for the classification of fire departments as to their level of service, including, but not limited to, standards for training levels for firefighters of fire departments, minimum levels of equipment, and minimum performance standards;

(2) Establish a system of identification for firefighters of certified fire departments for the purpose of assisting firefighters to carry out their duties;

(3) Assist fire departments with training programs and assist with the establishment and upgrading of fire departments;

(4) Promote the exchange of information among fire departments and state agencies;

(5) Serve in an advisory capacity to the Director of the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management with respect to the operation of fire services and the matters concerning certification and standards related to fire services in the state;

(6) Periodically review and evaluate current and proposed national and international activities related to the improvement and upgrading of fire services to ensure that the state maintains acceptable standards of fire protection for its citizens and standards for training its firefighters;

(7) Advise the Director of the Arkansas Fire Training Academy in matters related to the training and certification of fire services personnel in Arkansas and curriculum and instructional content of the curriculum offered by the Arkansas Fire Training Academy;

(8)

(A) Advise the President of Southern Arkansas University in matters regarding the appointment and retention of the Director of the Arkansas Fire Training Academy.

(B) The Arkansas Fire Protection Services Board shall review the applications for the position of Director of the Arkansas Fire Training Academy submitted to the president and recommend three (3) candidates for the position to the president.

(C) The president shall appoint the Director of the Arkansas Fire Training Academy from the three (3) recommended candidates; and

(9) Establish other reasonable rules and regulations as may be necessary for the purposes of this subchapter.

(b) As of March 1, 2003, the Arkansas Fire Training Academy Board created by § 12-13-202 [repealed] and the Arkansas Fire Advisory Board created by § 20-22-1005 [repealed] are transferred by a Type 3 transfer under § 25-2-106 to the Arkansas Fire Protection Services Board created by § 20-22-803.