§ 11-b. Hazardous exposures. If, as a result of services performed in
line of duty, a volunteer firefighter is exposed to or comes in contact
with any poisons, gases, x-rays, radium, radio-active materials or other
potentially harmful substances or matter, the chief engineer or other
executive officer of the fire department or fire company of which he or
she is a member may authorize the volunteer firefighter to obtain such
examinations, tests, treatment and care as are immediately necessary to
determine whether he or she is injured. Any such authorization may be
granted prior to the giving of a notice of injury under this chapter. In
any such case, the volunteer firefighter shall be deemed to have been
injured and shall be entitled to treatment and care and disability
benefits as provided in this chapter.