FIRE ALARM OFFICE

MANUAL OF OPERATIONS

BEE INCIDENTS / CITY OF LAS VEGAS
Effective Date: / 06/12/09
Supersedes: / 04/09/08 / PAGE B-5 / PAGE 4 OF 4

I.  INTRODUCTION

a.  Purpose: To provide procedures for proper notification and response for incidents involving bees.

b.  Scope: This information is provided to all Fire Alarm Office (FAO) Communications Specialists regarding the appropriate response to notifications of bee incidents.

c.  Author: The Chief Communications Specialist or designee shall be responsible for the content, revision and review of this information.

II.  RESPONSIBILITY

It shall be the responsibility of all FAO personnel to be familiar with, and to apply these procedures appropriately.

III.  POLICY

This policy is provided to all FAO Communications Specialists to assist in determining the appropriate response and notification for incidents involving bees.

IV. PROCEDURES

1. Calls received by the Alarm Office where multiple bee stings are reported in progress or imminent will be considered an emergency. In these situations, the appropriate dispatch and notifications will be made as follows:

a.  The closest Engine and Rescue.

b.  The appropriate Battalion Chief.

c.  119 - Special Operations Chief.

Battalion Chiefs and 119 carry tyvek/saranex suits with built-in hoods in their units.

If residents need information on eradication of bees, or need advice about the bees, they can call 229-2000. This is the City of Las Vegas Honey Bee Information Hotline. It is available both in English and Spanish. Residents can obtain a list of approved/licensed exterminators by calling 385-5853. The Fire Department does not exterminate bees or remove beehives or swarms.

2.  CITY OF LAS VEGAS PROPERTY ONLY: If a Honey Bee incident occurs on City property:

a. Notify the appropriate City of Las Vegas Department, or callout personnel:

i.  City Streets and Sanitation: Monday thru Friday - (0630-1500) Notify: Facilities Management 229-6227

Evenings Weekends and Holidays - contact the following in order:

Cellular: Home:

1. Downtown Beautification Office: 249-3925

2. Mike McGill 249-3063 658-4693

3. Daphnee LeGarza 277-9779

4. Jerry Walker 376-1951

ii. City Parks & Open Spaces -

(Parks, Soccer Fields, Ball Diamonds, or any open space or Recreation Field owned or maintained by the City of Vegas):

Monday thru Thursday - (0600-1530) - Friday - (0600-1430) - 229-6571

Evenings, Weekends and Holidays contact the following in order:

Cellular: Home:

1. Ray Montoya 249-4934 361-4110

2. Bill Weisenmiller 249-3168 233-4601

iii. City Buildings, Including Pools, or other City property not listed:

Monday thru Friday – (0700-1700):

Notify: Facilities Management 229-6220

Evenings, Weekends & Holidays contact:

- 24 Hr City Hall Cell Phone 379-4861

NOTE: If unable to contact Facilities Management call Western

Exterminators at 386-2117. If unable to contact Western at

this number, attempt to contact:

Cellular:

·  Butch 501-8998

·  Grady 882-1324

If Western Exterminators is contacted, leave that contact information in a voice message for Facilities Management at 229-6220 for proper expenditure monitoring.

iv. Street Signs, Street Lights and Traffic Signals (TEFO):

Monday thru Friday – (0600-1630): 229-6331

Evenings, Weekends & Holidays contact:

- 24 Hr Traffic Engineering Shop Phone 229-6075

3. CLARK COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT: If on school property:

Monday thru Friday – (0600-1630):

Notify: Alan Paulson 799-1158

Evenings, Weekends and Holidays:

Notify: County School Police: 799-5411

4. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Africanized Honey Bees (AHB), more commonly referred to as “killer bees”, are a direct relation to their cousins, the European Honey Bee (EHB). They share some of the characteristics; those being, they are:

·  the same size.

·  protect their respective hives or colonies.

·  produce honey.

·  sting their victims with the same potency.

The differences in these species are the AHB has a higher level of defense and will attack any threat to their hive with a vengeance. The focal point of attack is the head, primarily the victim’s mouth and nose. Once a victim has been stung, the remaining bees will home in on the scent of the first bee and continue until the victim is no longer viewed as a threat. These bees are:

·  attracted to dark clothing.

·  irritated by sounds and vibrations.

·  irritated by emergency lights.

·  and once irritated, will attack movement.

a.  GENERAL INFORMATION: For general identification or information concerning the AHB, the public may contact:

Nevada State Department of Agriculture

Marvin Berson 486-4690.