In connection with the “Rules of procedure during interventions conducted in response to reports of threats posed by swarms or nests of hymenopteran insects,” approved by the Commander-in-Chief of the State Fire Service in Warsaw on 10 July 2009. The above-mentioned “Rules…” standardise the fire service’s procedures for receiving reports of threats and undertaking interventions involving dangerous insects (wasps, hornets and bees) in facilities occupied by groups of children or people with limited mobility, such as nurseries, preschools, schools, boarding schools, holiday camps, hospitals, health centres and doctors’ offices, among others.

In other facilities, the obligation to ensure the safe use of the facility in this respect rests with its owner or manager (pursuant to Article 61(2) of the Construction Law). Referring to the Construction Law is all the more justified because incidents involving hymenopteran insects are generally not sudden incidents, and properly managed facility administration would effectively prevent insects from nesting there.

Accordingly, the Fire Service does not conduct rescue operations in facilities other than those listed above. Any actions taken by firefighters may be limited to evacuating people from the endangered open area or rooms and cordoning off and marking the danger zone. Removing an insect nest or swarm is the responsibility of the owner or manager.

Do not attempt to remove a swarm or nest yourself (this also applies to owners and managers). Do not approach a nest or swarm closer than 20 metres in an open area, and leave rooms where insects are present. Do not provoke the insects by throwing various objects at them or spraying them with water or insecticides. Warn people approaching the insects’ habitat that the insects are present.

An unjustified deployment of firefighters to a location where their immediate intervention is not necessary means that they may not arrive in time where they are needed and essential.

In municipalities/cities where a Volunteer Fire Service operates, a different procedure for undertaking action in this area may be agreed with the Mayor/City Mayor and carried out by Volunteer Fire Service units.

It is advisable to use the services of companies specialising in pest control.