(A) The State Fire Marshal has the sole responsibility for the operation of the State Fire Academy (academy). The academy is operated for the express purpose of upgrading the state’s paid, volunteer, and industrial fire service personnel. All buildings, facilities, equipment, property, and instructional materials which are now or become a part of the academy are assigned to the academy and may not be integrated with any other local or state agency, association, department, or technical education center, without the consent of the Director of the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation or his designee.

(B) There is created the State Fire Academy Advisory Committee which shall advise and assist the State Fire Marshal in developing a comprehensive training program based upon the needs of the fire service in this State. Membership on the committee includes:

(1) the Chairman and appointed members of the Training and Education Committee of the South Carolina State Firefighters’ Association. The Chairman of the Training and Education Committee also shall serve as the Chairman of the State Fire Academy Advisory Committee;

(2) one member from the South Carolina State Association of Fire Chiefs appointed by the president of the association;

(3) one member from the South Carolina Fire Marshal Association appointed by the president of the association;

(4) one member from the South Carolina Society of Fire Service Instructors appointed by the president of the society;

(5) one member from the Professional Firefighters Association appointed by the president of the association;

(6) one member from the South Carolina Chapter of International Association of Arson Investigators appointed by the president of the chapter;

(7) the Superintendent of the State Fire Academy who shall serve as secretary without voting privileges. Membership from the State Fire Academy is limited to the superintendent only;

(8) one industrial fire protection representative appointed by the President of the South Carolina Chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers;

(9) the Executive Director of the South Carolina State Firefighters’ Association who shall serve as a member ex officio without voting privileges;

(10) the State Fire Marshal as a member ex officio without voting privileges;

(11) one member from higher education having experience and training in curriculum development appointed by the Director of the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation; and

(12) one member from the Life Safety Education Section of the South Carolina State Firefighters’ Association appointed by the president of the section.