Traditionally, the fire ser- vice has dealt well with the opera-tional and administrative aspects of its mission. However, today's firefighters and paramedics are encountering new problems during an emergency response that involve hazards well beyond the special operational demands of dangerous properties (vacant building to lightweight construction) and the threat of deadly disease (carcinogens to HIV and hepatitis C). Responders are becoming much more than the "last line of defense"; they increasingly are the "first contact" with social problems such as domestic violence, fraud, and crimes committed to cover drug addiction.
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