Maryland Health - General Section 18-704

      The Center shall:

            (1)      Study the long and short term health effects of exposure to fire;

            (2)      Gather and analyze information concerning the morbidity and mortality of fire-related injury or death;

            (3)      Establish and maintain a registry of individuals who suffer fire-related injury or death;

            (4)      Establish a computerized data base concerning injuries and health effects of fire;

            (5)      Be a common repository for information routinely collected concerning fires;

            (6)      Communicate with national data bases of scientific literature in toxicology, chemistry, epidemiology, and other related scientific disciplines;

            (7)      Establish and maintain communication and collaboration with existing agencies, such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology, involved in programs related to the health effects of fire;

            (8)      Encourage and facilitate interest in fire-related issues at the educational institutions located in the State;

            (9)      In accordance with the State budget, provide funding for pilot studies addressing issues or factors affecting injuries or health effects of fire;

            (10)      Apply for federal or private research grants to investigate issues relating to the health effects of fire;

            (11)      Solicit and follow the recommendations of the Advisory Council concerning future activities or projects of the Center; and

            (12)      Provide staff support to the Advisory Council, as needed.