FIRE ALARM OFFICE

MANUAL OF OPERATIONS

BEE INCIDENT RESPONSE / CLARK COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT
Effective Date: / 05/24/11
Supersedes: / 11/04/09 / PAGE B-5B / PAGE 3 OF 3

I.  INTRODUCTION

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

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

IV. PROCEDURES

A. Calls received by the FAO in which a call taker believes that a bee attack is imminent or in progress will be deemed an emergency. The following procedures will be utilized in the Clark County Urban and Outlying Areas:

1.  Response and Notification Procedures for Urban Areas ( all areas excluding Laughlin, Jean, Stateline and Townships having a Volunteer Fire Department):

a.  Respond Two (2) Engines and Rescue Code 3.

b.  The closest Battalion Chief (BC) will be responded.

c.  At the request of the BC ONLY, EMS2 can be responded to supply Bee Suits.

2.  Response and Notifications Procedures for Outlying Areas (Laughlin, Jean, Stateline, the I-15 Corridor, and all Townships having a Volunteer Fire Department, and any other area outside the Core Urban Area.

a.  Laughlin: Respond Two (2) Engines and notify Battalion 3 of the incident.

b.  Townships having Volunteer Fire Departments: Page and respond the appropriate Volunteers with information pertinent to the bee call. The responding units are responsible for selecting the appropriately equipped unit/s for the bee emergency.

c.  Other Areas Outside Urban Clark County: Follow the response procedures for the closest Volunteer or Urban units.

3.  Page the Rural Team via web-based texting program with the following information:

a.  Location of the call.

b.  Number of victims.

c.  Units responding.

d.  Status of helicopter response.

NOTE: If there is no acknowledgement within a reasonable amount of time, (5 minutes can be considered reasonable), attempt to contact the CCFD on-Duty Chief via cellular, landline or radio. If unsuccessful perform a 600 AllCall Page.

B.  The Clark County Fire Department does not engage in bee extermination, swarm control, or hive removal. If a calling party requests these services, they are to be advised to seek the services of a professional bee exterminator. They can be referred to the Honey Bee Hotline at 385-5853 for further information.

C.  For all non-emergency incidents (reported hives, swarming, etc.) involving Clark County facilities during normal business hours (0800-1700, Monday-Friday), advise the calling party to contact Clark County Vector Control at 455-7543. After hours, weekends and holidays, the incident can be reported to the Clark County Security Desk at 455-5911.

D.  For emergencies involving Clark County facilities, follow the appropriate emergency response procedures for Urban and Volunteer areas.

E.  Perform a 600 AllCall of any emergency involving Clark County facilities, regardless of jurisdiction.