The township board of any township operating a fire department has the power and it is its legal duty and obligation to provide as nearly adequate protection from fire for all persons and property within the township as possible and to prescribe necessary regulations for the prevention and control of fire within the township. The township board may provide and maintain life saving and rescue equipment, services, and facilities, including emergency ambulance service. Except in cities having a population of 500,000 or more inhabitants and except in municipalities in which fire prevention codes have been adopted, the township board has the express power to adopt and enforce fire prevention codes and standards parallel to national standards.