New Jersey is one of the basic north-south routes on the east coast for commercial beekeepers moving bees for pollination.  A typical truck would be a semi-flat bed transporting between 300 to 500 colonies.  Each of these colonies will have about 30,000 bees.  The hives (colonies) will be banded or stapled together and the entrances in each hive will be screened to keep the bees confined.  Any accident or impact may rip the net or break open the hives releasing the bees.

For any incident involving the release of bees while being transported, where they become a hazard to the public, the point of contact for dispatch of qualified emergency personnel is:

Burlington County
Central Dispatch
(609) 267-8300 Emergency No.
(609) 261-3900 Business No.

Upon receiving a call of an incident involving bees, the central dispatcher will:

a. Notify the head E.M.S. disaster coordinators and the other coordinators.
b. Notify the NJ State Apiarist.
c. Notify the primary beekeepers in the area involved. (North, South Central)

It is assumed that necessary police, first aid and fire companies will be notified.

Preliminary information needed by the central dispatcher:

1. The exact location of the accident by route number, mile, marker, etc.
2. How bad is the accident, are any persons trapped or injured?
3. How accessible is the accident? Is the highway blocked?
4. Can the Truck carrying the bees be driven? What type of truck is it?
5. How many broken hives? (Bees loose)
6. Time of accident.
7. Total number of hives in truck

Things to do at the scene of an accident:

2. FIRST AID SQUAD:  In charge of first aid and safe removal or injured persons.  If no one is trapped or injured at scene of accident, it is recommended that the squad stand by at a reasonable distance.  Primary concern will be persons stung and progressing into anaphylaxis.  Personnel able to give injections at scene, (doctors, nurses, paramedics, etc.) would be very desirable.

3. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND PRIMARY BEEKEEPERS:  In charge of organizing and bringing bee spills under control as quickly and effectively as possible.  Dept. Of Agriculture personnel (or beekeepers in charge) will make decision as to trying to salvage or destroy bees.  Responding squads and personnel are asked to give assistance in obtaining equipment or necessary materials needed.

4. DISASTER COORDINATOR:  To assist police, first aid squads, and beekeepers in maintaining communications, obtaining equipment and personnel as required.  This plan will be maintained by the NJ Department of Agriculture to be used for bee spills anywhere in New Jersey. The E.M.S. disaster coordinators may be required under certain circumstances to assist outside of Burlington County. If they have to respond outside of Burlington County, they must maintain radio contact with the "Central" dispatcher at all times, report to squad in charge at scene and offer assistance.

RECOMMENDED PROCEDURE AFTER REPORTING TO SQUAD IN CHARGE:

First disaster coordinator on the scene set up as contact point and establish communications with "Central".  Second disaster coordinator on the scene get in close to accident (in vehicle) and maintain radio link with primary coordinator vehicle.

Primary concern:  Protecting yourself, proceed carefully.  Persons that have known reactions to bee stings should not enter the affected area.

Secondary Concern:  Protection and removal of any trapped or injured persons.  Beekeepers will assist first aid squads.  Secure area so no further injuries occur.  Check for fuel spills:  no open flames if fuel is present, no smokers, cigarettes, flares, etc.  Fire equipment will wash down or foam the fuel spills.

Commence clean up of bee spill.  Police, fire and first aid equipment will stand by until cleanup is complete and area is secured.

Each PB will make up his/her own list of 5 to 10 beekeepers in his area who he/she will call if needed.

It is the understanding of the Department of Agriculture that emergencies involving bees will be handled by the following people: