It's a decision the State Health Department is wrestling with, along with the federal government.

The question is in the event of a terrorist smallpox outbreak, would firefighters or other emergency personnel be allowed to respond and treat those infected, endangering themselves? It's become a hot topic in New Mexico and across the U.S.

If an emergency workers has not been vaccinated, they could be another victim of smallpox in need of treatment at an outbreak scene.

"Right now, there is no vaccine available in New Mexico, and we have been given guidance to 'Stand by and we will get to you when we figure out what we would like to do,'" said State Director of Public Health Barak Wolff.

Currently, the federal government is trying to figure out what to do. It's considering whether to expand a list of who will be allowed to receive the limited smallpox vaccine.

At first, the plan allowed for 20,000 "first responders," like firefighters, paramedics, emergency room doctors and nurses to be vaccinated. But some officials now say that won't be enough, and want to increase the number to 500,000 first responders.

New Mexico's health department will be meeting over the next week to discuss the issue.

"We will be talking about that with experts from medical teams," said Wolff. "First responders from hospitals... but my guess is law enforcement, nurses, doctors and those that make first contact... made sense."

The federal government is expected to make a decision on the new vaccination plan this fall. If approved the State Health Department says plans are already in the works to vaccinate thousands of New Mexico's first responders.

No word yet on when, or if, the public will receive the vaccine.