Sec. 1. 26 MRSA §2101, sub-§§3 and 4 are enacted to read:

3.__Education.__"Education" means the process of imparting knowledge or skill through systematic instruction, but not necessarily formal classroom instruction.

4.__Training.__"Training"__means the process of making a firefighter proficient through instruction and hands-on practice in the operation of equipment, including respiratory protection equipment, that is expected to be used in the performance of the firefighter's assigned duties.

Sec. 2. 26 MRSA §2102, as corrected by RR 1997, c. 1, §25, is amended to read:

§2102. Firefighter training and education

1. Training and education requirements. Each fire department shall provide a training and education program which that meets the fire department's needs and includes the following:

A. Training and education in accordance with Title 30-A, section 3154, subsection 2;

B. Training and education in the use of protective equipment required by this chapter;

C. Training and education by the fire chief or his the fire chief's designee in accordance with National Fire Protection Association standards;

D. Training and education to prevent occupational accidents, deaths, injuries and illnesses;

E. Training and education for all firefighters commensurate with the duties that they are expected to perform prior to performing those duties;

F. Training to ensure that the firefighters are able to perform their assigned duties in a manner safe to themselves and others;

G. Basic training covering all areas specified by this chapter provided to firefighters before performing interior structural fire fighting;

H. Training and education in the safe handling and use of hazardous substances for firefighters required to handle the