§ 11-b. Hazardous exposures. If, as a result of services performed in line of duty, a volunteer ambulance worker is exposed to or comes in contact with any poisons, gases, x-rays, radium, radioactive materials or other potentially harmful substances or matter, the captain or other executive officer of the ambulance department, volunteer ambulance company or ambulance district of which he is a member may authorize the volunteer ambulance worker to obtain such examinations, tests, treatment and care as are immediately necessary to determine whether he 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 ambulance worker shall be deemed to have been injured and shall be entitled to treatment and care and disability benefits as provided in this chapter.