Venom Response
Fire Rescue maintains the largest and only antivenom bank for public use in the United States and provides antivenom to hospitals in the tri-county area, but also deploys antivenom via emergent shipping to out-of-area hospitals. If you have a snake, Africanized honey bee or large or small animal emergency or nuisance, 911 will dispatch the Venom Response Team.
The Venom Response Team will identify snakes you have seen in your yard or house via text, email photos and by phone, and will recover and relocate harmless, venomous and non-native snakes. The team will respond to Africanized honey bee emergency stinging events and mitigate swarms when possible.
In the event that a large or small animal is in an emergency situation, such as a small animal having fallen into a drain, the team will intervene primarily for public safety and to prevent injuries.
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Envenomation Response and Antivenom Bank
- Maintains the largest antivenom bank in the country, the only bank for public use in the United States
- Provides antivenom to hospitals in the tri-county area
- Assists with patient care and hospital education
- Deploys antivenom via emergent shipping to out of area hospitals
- Provides consultation and referrals to out of area physicians
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Education (Professional and Public)
- Provides education on dangerous critters for schools and civic groups
- Provides envenomation management for first responders and health care providers
- Africanized honey bee awareness and response
- Teaching safe capture (large constrictor capture techniques)
- Specialized training tailored to audience needs for schools and civic groups
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Snake Mitigation (ID or recovery)
- Identification of snakes seen in yards via text or emailed photos
- Recovery of snakes (usually harmless) that find their way into your home
- Recovery and relocation of venomous snakes in your yard
- Recovery of non-native snakes in your yard or home
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Africanized Honey Bee Response (Mitigation and Referral)
- Respond to Africanized honey bee emergencies. (stinging events)
- Mitigate swarms (eradication), when possible, of Africanized honey bees
- Provide information regarding pest control for colonies on private property
- Report colonies and swarms on public property to appropriate authorities
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Large and Small Animal Rescue
- Recovery of small animals and pets from drains and other predicaments
- Large animal rescue providing safety for the rescue team and the animal
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Partnering with State and Federal Agencies for Invasive Species
- We partner with US Fish and Wildlife, Florida Fish and Wildlife, National Park Service, and various research organizations.
- Report various invasive species on www.IveGot1.org
- Recovery of pythons (Burmese and African rock)
- Recovery of red-tailed boas
- Recovery of Argentine tegu lizards
- Recovery of reporting of any other exotic species encountered
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Additional Resources
- Antivenom: Species Covered
- Venom Response Envenomation Calls
- Venomous Snakes of Florida
- Mosquito Bites and Bee Stings
- Snakes and Snake Bites
Related Documents
ADA Disclaimer
To request materials in an accessible format, or if you require special accomodations, please contact our ADA Coordinator:
Phone Number(s)
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Venom Response Team
Fire Rescue
Alan Cominsky, Interim Fire ChiefR. David Paulison Fire Rescue Headquarters
9300 NW 41st Street,
Miami, FL 33178-2414
