(a) There is established within the Arkansas Forestry Commission a Rural Fire Protection Service, which shall be assigned to separate divisional status or as a program or section within an existing division of the Arkansas Forestry Commission, as determined by the Arkansas Forestry Commission.
(b) The Arkansas Forestry Commission shall provide, through the Rural Fire Protection Service, a program designed to encourage and aid localities in the establishment, development, and operation of fire protection districts and programs in rural areas which do not have available the benefits of an organized or voluntary fire fighting service and to assist existing organized or volunteer fire fighting services.