Emergency Response and Management of Swarms and Envenomations

Killer Bees In Florida? GAINESVILLE, FL (AP) -- A University of Florida researcher

says "killer bees" are back in Florida and that could be bad news for the state's $16 million honeybee industry.

Glenn Hall says African honeybees have been found and stopped at ports in Jacksonville, Miami and Tampa since 1987. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services would capture them in bait hives.

But Hall notes the bees are here to stay due to the warm climate and could affect the beekeeping industry and the pollution of many crops. That's not to mention the problems they could cause to public safety, recreation and tourism.

The bee specialist says the Tampa area is seeing a small spread of them and the African bees are also being found farther inland from the ports.

Background Information Stinging insects limited to the order Hymenoptera (wasps, bees, and ants). Stinging insects limited to the order Hymenoptera (wasps, bees, and ants).

The stinger is a modified egg-laying apparatus; so, only females can sting.The stinger is a modified egg-laying apparatus; so, only females can sting.

Most hymenopterans live solitary lives, and their behavior is more likely to be Most hymenopterans live solitary lives, and their behavior is more likely to be flight than fight. Social hymenopterans, including yellowjackets, bumble bees, flight than fight. Social hymenopterans, including yellowjackets, bumble bees, honey bees, and fire ants, have individuals in the colony whose task it is to honey bees, and fire ants, have individuals in the colony whose task it is to defend the nest. If the nest is disturbed, these individuals will defend it defend the nest. If the nest is disturbed, these individuals will defend it vigorously. In addition, foraging members of the colony will also sting if they are vigorously. In addition, foraging members of the colony will also sting if they are disturbed or injured as they go about their activities. Some, such as the disturbed or injured as they go about their activities. Some, such as the yellowjackets, are much more liable to attack than are others.yellowjackets, are much more liable to attack than are others.

The Africanized [“killer”] honey bee is closely related to the European honey The Africanized [“killer”] honey bee is closely related to the European honey bee, which is used in agriculture for crop pollination and honey production. The bee, which is used in agriculture for crop pollination and honey production. The two types of bees look the same, and their behavior is similar in many respects. two types of bees look the same, and their behavior is similar in many respects. Neither is likely to sting when gathering nectar and pollen from flowers, but both Neither is likely to sting when gathering nectar and pollen from flowers, but both will sting in defense if provoked.will sting in defense if provoked.

An individual Africanized bee can sting only once and has the same venom as An individual Africanized bee can sting only once and has the same venom as the European honey bee. However, Africanized honey bees are less the European honey bee. However, Africanized honey bees are less predictable and more defensive than European honey bees. They are more predictable and more defensive than European honey bees. They are more likely to defend a greater area around their nest, and they respond faster and in likely to defend a greater area around their nest, and they respond faster and in greater numbers than the European honey bee.greater numbers than the European honey bee.

Alerting and Notification

Call 911 immediatelyFire Rescue will not rush right in Information gathered shall

include: – Location of incident.

– Call back number.

Alerting and Notification

– Has anyone been stung or is anyone being stung now and the number of persons involved.

– Is the incident in close proximity (200' or less) to a school, day care center or other building with numerous occupants, especially children.

Alerting and Notification

– Name and address of building if applicable.

– Specific location of the bees (i.e., in drain pipe in alley; in barbecue pit in back yard; in mail box in front of building).

Alerting and Notification

If the incident is in close proximity to a school, day care center, or other building with numerous occupants, the school principal, day care owner, building manager, etc., shall be contacted and advised to keep all building occupants indoors and to close all external openings until the (AHB) incident is terminated.

Emergency Response

When the Dispatch Center receives a call for AHB attack, an engine company, and ladder truck company and a District Chief will respond along with an ambulance for patient transport as required.

Emergency Response

They shall respond to the scene and arrive being careful not to commit themselves in the path of the source of bees – staging approximately 150' from the colony.

On-scene actions

Upon arrival at an (AHB) incident site, a rapid evaluation should be made by the first arriving fire company officer and the following activities implemented:

Determine if there are any victims which will require rescue and/or medical treatment and establish a Staging Area for incoming resources.

On-scene actions

Once on the scene, three personnel shall don full protective clothing and SCBA masks prior to approaching area.

Ankles and waist shall be taped tight to prevent bees from crawling up the chest or legs. The firefighters will utilize their SCBA masks and hoods as bee veils will not be readily available.

Approach actions

A quick attack 1-3/4" hose line will be pulled and hooked to the apparatus AFFF foam system. The hose line will be pulled by the firefighter at a quick pace towards the affected patient, with a full fog pattern on the nozzle -- sweeping the air surrounding the firefighters and patient.

Approach actions

Patient rescue

The patient should be quickly picked up while at the same time sweeping the surrounding air with the AFFF foam line. The foam shall continue to be sprayed into the air and on the firefighters and patient while the firefighters retreat to a minimum safe distance of approximately 150 feet from the swarm.

Securing the scene

The AFFF will kill the AHB within approximately 60 seconds of contact. The AFFF will be used to kill the swarm after patients have been rescued. The same sweeping motion will be used to approach the bee colony completely flooding the hive with the AFFF hose line.

First aid prior to arrival

The two greatest risks from insect stings are allergic reaction, which could be fatal, and infection, which is more common and normally less serious.

If you or someone around you has been stung by a bee, Gainesville Fire Rescue offers these suggestions:

First aid prior to arrival

– Bees leave behind a stinger attached to a venom sac. Do not try to pull it out, as this may release more venom. Gently scrape it out with a blunt-edged object, such as a credit card or dull knife. Wash the area with soap and water. This should be done several times a day until the skin is healed.

First aid prior to arrival

– Apply a cold or ice pack, wrapped in cloth for a few minutes. Apply a paste of baking soda and water and leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes, or dab on a bit of household ammonia. Take acetaminophen for pain.

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First aid prior to arrival

Seek emergency care if you have any of these symptoms, because they indicate an allergic reaction:

– Large areas of swelling – Abnormal breathing – Tightness in throat or chest – Dizziness – Hives – Fainting – Nausea or vomiting – Persistent pain or swelling

First aid prior to arrival

In the case of an allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) GFR paramedics will initiate Advanced Life Support measures in accordance with Department Standing Medical Protocols:

If anaphylaxis without hypotension: – If wheezing, administer Albuterol 2.5-5 mg via nebulizer – May repeat PRN– Administer Diphenhydramine 25 mg IV/IM– Consider Methylprednisolone 125 mg IV or

Dexamethasone (Decadron®) 25 mg IV– Epinephrine 0.3 mg IM/IV

First aid prior to arrival

Anaphylaxis with hypotension:– If wheezing - administer Albuterol 2.5-5 mg via

nebulizer

– May repeat PRN

– Administer Normal Saline bolus of 20 mL/Kg to maintain systolic BP greater than 90 mm Hg

– Administer Diphenhydramine 25-50 mg IV/IM

– Administer Methylprednisolone 125 mg IV or Dexamethasone (Decadron®) 25 mg IV

– Administer Epinephrine 1 mg in 10mL IVP every 3 minutes to a total of 5 mg over 15 minutes

Questions

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For more information about Gainesville Fire Rescue visit the Department’s website at www.gfr.org