The Legislature finds and declares that the purposes of this article are as follows:
(a)
To reduce the costs in suffering and property loss resulting from fire through standardized fire training and education programs.
(b)
To provide professional fire service training and education programs to personnel in fire departments that rely extensively on volunteers.
(c)
To develop new methods and practices in the area of fire protection.
(d)
To disseminate information relative to fires, techniques of firefighters, and other related subjects to all interested agencies and individuals throughout the state.
(e)
To enhance the coordination of fire service training and education.
(f)
To develop a coordinated and standardized plan for the control of fires and the safety of firefighters where hazardous materials are involved.