On April 19 and 20, 2023, R6’s US-MX Border 2025 Program, will host an event in Eagle
Pass, TX involving a knowledge exchange and tabletop exercise. The last time
EPA Region 6 hosted such as event was over 10 years ago in El Paso, Texas when
EPA partnered with US NORTHCOMM on providing training and equipment to border
responders. This April 2023 event is being supported by EPA’s Office of Land
and Emergency Management (OLEM), Goal 4 Emergency Preparedness and Response
Policy Workgroup leads.
There will be several local,
state, and federal agencies from the United States and Mexico participating in
the event (listed below). On the first day, the knowledge exchange will provide
an opportunity for federal, state, and local binational agencies to highlight
what protocols, authorities, and resources each can provide during a response
to a HAZMAT incidence along the US-Mexico border. A tabletop exercise will be conducted on the second
day of the event to test the local US and Mexican agencies’ abilities to
respond to a binational incident affecting the communities of Eagle Pass, Texas
and Piedras Negras, Coahuila. The tabletop scenario will provide local
responders an opportunity to exercise the current Sister Cities Plan and
identify shortcomings in the plan that need to be addressed. Trainings for local responders on the
topics of air monitoring and train derailment response techniques will also be
provided on the second day of the event. Union Pacific and BNSF Railway will
provide a training to US and Mexican local responders on railcar incidents and
use of specific rail equipment used during railcar incidents. EPA Region 6
staff will provide local binational responders training on air quality
monitoring equipment use.
The event objectives are
provided below:
- To
improve coordination and communication between US and Mexico local, state,
and federal agencies in the event of a hazardous material release and/or
oil spill along the border.
- To
implement the B2025 Sister City plan, identify any potential
procedures/communications that may have changed since its initial draft,
and identify any potential gaps within the plan.
- Learn
the capabilities, resources, and roles of participating agencies in the
event of a unified hazardous material response.
Participating entities and the
highest level of staff expected to participate from each entity is provided
below:
- U.S.
- EPA
–HQ Office of Land and Emergency Management (OLEM) Branch Chief (invited,
not confirmed)
- Kickapoo
Tribe – Police Dept. Officer
- TCEQ –
R16 Emergency Response Coordinator
- TDEM –
District Coordinator
- Maverick
County – County Judge and Sherriff
- City
of Eagle Pass – Mayor, Police Chief, Fire Chief, School District,
Hospital Env. ER POC
- U.S.
Customs and Border Protection – Port of Entry Director (invited, not
confirmed)
- Rail
partners – Union Pacific and BNSF Railway
- Mexico
- Federal
- PROFEPA – Director of Environmental
Emergencies (Mexico City)
- Civil Protection – Director (Mexico City)
- State
of Coahuila – Civil Protection Deputy Director
- City
of Piedras Negras – Fire Chief, Civil Protection Director
- Mexican
Customs – Assistant Port Director
- Other
- Union
Pacific Railroad – Director of Hazardous Materials
- BNSF –
Director of Hazardous Materials