The commission shall have the following functions and duties together with all powers necessary or convenient for the performance thereof:

(1) To study, obtain data, statistics, and information and make reports concerning the recruitment, selection, and training of fire-protection personnel in the state; to make recommendations for improvement in methods of recruitment, selection, and training of such personnel.

(2) To recommend minimum curriculum requirements for schools operated for the specific purpose of training firefighter recruits or fire-protection personnel.

(3) To consider, hold public hearings on, adopt, and promulgate such standards relating to trainees as fire-protection personnel as set forth by the commission.

(4) To consult and coordinate through memorandum of agreement or understanding when applicable with any fire-fighting agency, university, college, community college, the federal government or any branch thereof, or other educational institution concerning the provision of or development anywhere of, or both, firefighter training schools and programs of courses of instruction, including, but not limited to, education and training in the areas of fire science, fire technology, fire administration, and all allied and supporting fields, including travel out of the State of Alabama, for business, administrative, and instruction purposes which shall be authorized only by the commission and shall be allowed under the same conditions as for state officers and employees pursuant to Section 36-7-21.

(5) To encourage the establishment of fire-fighting training schools and courses on fire fighting in the educational institutions in the state.

(6) To gather statistics and data and make reports concerning the training of fire-protection personnel and their accomplishments.

(7) To certify fire-fighting training and education programs as having attained the minimum required standards prescribed by such commission.

(8) To certify fire-protection personnel in respect to their competence to perform fire service duties at various defined levels of responsibility as prescribed by such commission.

(9) To direct research in the field of fire fighting and prevention and to accept gifts and grants for such purposes.

(10) To consult with national fire service organizations or agencies concerning the training and certification of fire-protection personnel in the state.

(11) To establish and utilize testing procedures and levels of grading which are consistently uniform with the standard prescribed by such commission.

(12) To make investigation to determine whether the requirements of this chapter and the rules, regulations, and standards of the commission issued pursuant to this chapter are being observed and followed.

(13) To recommend to the Attorney General, the district attorneys and other appropriate officials measures for the enforcement of the requirements of this chapter and the rules, regulations, and standards issued by the commission pursuant to this chapter.

(14) To enter into cooperative agreements with state and local fire-fighting agencies for the effective coordination of fire-fighting training in the state.

(15) To obtain the services and advice of experts in the field of fire-fighting for the purpose of aiding the commission in its studies, consideration, reports and recommendations, and the adoption of standards, rules, and regulations.

(16) To promote the participation of local fire-fighting agencies in the programs established by the commission.