320.273.  Dry hydrant technical assistance program to be established — dry hydrant defined — purposes and goals of program. — 1.  The state fire marshal in cooperation with the department of conservation shall establish a standardized dry hydrant technical assistance program to identify rural areas with priority fire control needs and to study the feasibility of the use of dry hydrants in such rural areas of the state by certain fire departments and fire protection districts and to educate such fire departments and fire protection districts in the use of dry hydrants.

  2.  "Dry hydrants" are nonpressurized pipes permanently installed in lakes, farm ponds, and streams that provide a ready means of drawing water for rural fire departments.  A well designed dry hydrant water delivery system can improve fire fighting capabilities, save fuel, and reduce homeowner insurance premiums.  Dry hydrant systems provide easier access to vast amounts of water needed by county road maintenance crews when they improve and repair rural gravel roads.  Dry hydrants make unprocessed water available for fire fighting and road maintenance which gives small towns the opportunity to make better use of the town's limited supply of drinking water.

  3.  The goals and objectives of the dry hydrant assistance program established in subsection 1 of this section is to:

  (1)  Improve rural fire protection, potentially saving lives and property;

  (2)  Ensure a better quality of life for the citizens of economically depressed rural areas;

  (3)  Provide an economic stimulus of underdeveloped rural areas, thereby creating jobs;

  (4)  Decrease local government operating costs and save energy with more efficient use of fuel;

  (5)  Reduce property insurance rates for rural homeowners;

  (6)  Improve road maintenance; and

  (7)  Augment the use of gravity systems which may be damaged by natural disasters such as earthquakes.