U.S., Mexico train for border hazardous disaster preparedness April 29-30

Exercise focuses on San Luis Rio Colorado, San Luis, Yuma, Imperial Co. and Mexicali
(04/29/08) LOS ANGELES - Federal, state, and local emergency response agencies from the U.S. and Mexico will meet April 29-30 in Yuma, Arizona and San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico as part of a binational, hazardous substance emergency response training exercise.

The U.S. - Mexico Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan is a collaborative effort between the E.P.A., U.S. Northern Command, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Agency for International Development, the Mexican Countrywide Civil Protection Agency, ten State Border Governors Emergency Management subcommittee, and the communities of San Luis Rio Colorado, San Luis, Yuma, Imperial Co. and Mexicali.

"These emergency response exercises are a great opportunity to test our joint systems and to practice with our partners on both sides of the border, in advance of an incident" said Daniel A. Meer, Chief of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Branch in EPA's Pacific Southwest office. "Because an environmental disaster an either side of the border has the potential to cause harm to area communities, emergency responders in both countries must be able to work as one single team."

On April 29, 1st responder personnel from both countries will meet in San Luis Rio Colorado to discuss emergency preparedness and response.

On April 30, an emergency response exercise will be staged in Yuma, highlighting how San Luis Rio Colorado, San Luis, Yuma, Imperial Co. and Mexicali operate during a disaster, including cross border communications, linking emergency operation centers and medical response.

The EPA's Border 2012 U.S.-Mexico Environmental Plan protects the environment and public health for ten states on both sides of the 2,000-mile border, including 26 U.S. tribes and 7 groups of Mexican indigenous people. Border 2012 looks for to reduce pollution in water, air, and on land, reduce exposure to chemicals from accidental delivers or terrorism, and enhance environmental stewardship.

For more information, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/usmexicoborder

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