Any active firefighter, emergency medical technician, or public safety officer who may be exposed to hepatitis B or hepatitis C during a period while the firefighter, emergency medical technician, or public safety officer is engaged in the performance of his or her duties shall at the request of the firefighter, emergency medical technician, or public safety officer be vaccinated for protection against hepatitis B or screened for exposure to hepatitis C. The cost, after the payment by any third-party payor, of such vaccination or screening shall be paid by the county, municipality, or other person or entity employing such firefighter, emergency medical technician, or public safety officer or by the governing authority of the county in the case of a volunteer firefighter.