5. Meetings.__The commission may meet as often as necessary but must meet at least quarterly.__A meeting may be called by the chair or by any 4 members.__The commission shall take and maintain minutes of all meetings.

6.__Staffing.__If funding permits, the commission may employ staff as needed.__The staffs of the members represented on the commission may assist the commission in carrying out its functions and duties within their existing resources.__The commission may contract for administrative, professional and clerical services if funding permits.

7.__Funding.__The commission may seek, accept and expend outside funding to carry out its duties.

8.__Duties.__The commission shall:

A.__Regularly advise the Governor and executive officers, the Legislature, the Maine Forest Service, municipal fire departments and any other parties affected by its recommendations regarding fire protection services;

B.__Submit a report containing the results of its studies, findings and recommendations to the Governor and to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over fire protection services matters by December 31st of each year.__As resources permit, the report must include:

(1)__A detailed assessment of existing and needed resources within the State's fire protection services system, including capital needs for training facilities;

(2)__A detailed assessment of expected resource needs in the State's fire protection services system and recommendations for funding those needs, including an evaluation of the appropriate level for the fire premium tax and bond initiative proposals;

(3)__An evaluation of existing fire prevention, fire suppression, fire safety and fire training strategies and programs, including recommendations for improvements or new programs or strategies;

(4)__Recommendations for effective management of resources within the State's fire protection services system;