EPA U.S.-Mexico Border 2025 Program Hosted Binational Emergency Preparedness Event in Brownsville, Texas
DALLAS, TEXAS (November 14, 2024) - The U.S.-Mexico Border 2025 Program hosted a two-day binational event in Brownsville on Nov. 13-14, 2024. The event was presented by the Border 2025 Program, Goal 4: Emergency Preparedness & Response lead agencies, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Mexico’s Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (PROFEPA), the National Coordination for Civil Protection (CNPC), the Matamoros Local Mutual Aid Committee (CLAM), and the city of Brownsville. The initiative aimed to strengthen joint preparedness and response capabilities for oil spills and hazardous environmental emergencies along the U.S.-Mexico border.
“The importance of this event cannot be overstated. As we’ve seen time and again, emergencies do not respect international boundaries. A hazardous material release or oil spill along our shared border has the potential to impact communities in both the United States and Mexico. It is therefore crucial that we work together, share knowledge, and coordinate our efforts to ensure the most effective response possible,” said Ronald D. Crossland, EPA Region 6 Superfund Director.
Over the two-day event, U.S. and Mexican federal, state, and local agencies exchanged information on available resources and capabilities for addressing hazardous material incidents along the border. A tabletop exercise was conducted to evaluate the joint contingency plan between the sister cities of Brownsville and Matamoros. This plan outlined cooperative efforts to effectively respond to hazardous material releases that threaten public health and the environment. Additionally, U.S. and Mexican first responders received training on air monitoring and train derailment response techniques.
The event took place at the International Technology, Education and Commerce Campus (ITECC), 301 Mexico Blvd., Brownsville, Texas. On Nov. 14, first responders participated in hands-on training at the Brownsville Fire Department Station 8, located at 1855 Capt. Donald L. Foust Rd., Brownsville, Texas 78521.
For more information on EPA emergency response activities, go to our webpage or contact Pratistha Adams at adams.pratistha@epa.gov or Carolina Valdes at valdesbracamontes.carolina@epa.gov.
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