Miami-Dade Fire Rescue's venom response team is only one in the country
By: Julianna M. Pietak
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue’s venom response team – the only one of its kind in the country – came to campus last Wednesday, July 16 to present for more than 70 school-aged campers as part of the university’s BUCKids camp.
The Public Safety Department organized the visit, bringing the team’s personnel, resources and animals to campus.
“The Public Safety Department is always happy to work together with other Barry Departments to help educate the entire Barry community on the importance of personal safety,” said Elizabeth Talatinian, crime prevention coordinator.
The team gave a presentation about venomous species in South Florida, and how to take precautions to avoid getting bitten or stung. The highlight, however, was the several live snakes the team brought with them – giving the campers the opportunity to handle several native, non-venomous snakes.
Miami Dade Fire Rescue’s venom response team operates the largest and most comprehensive antivenin bank in the country, storing antivenin for “95 percent of what can kill you throughout the world,” according to Lt. Lisa Wood.
Miami-Dade County is the largest port for importation of venomous species in the U.S. and, as such, the venom response team is the only one in operation in the country.
Last week’s visit is one of several the Public Safety Department has organized for the Barry community this summer, including fingerprinting and DNA sampling for all the BUCKids campers and organizing a fire truck demonstration by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue.
“We are fortunate to have such a wonderful working relationship with the local professionals in the Miami Shores Police Department and all of the Miami-Dade team,” Talatinian said. “Anytime we can collaborate with any of these fine departments brings better awareness of these resources to Barry.”
