US-Mexico Border 2025 Program: Enhancing Emergency Preparedness
through Cross-Border Training and Exercises
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 6, as part
of the Border 2025 Program, has been actively hosting a series of bi-national
training exercises along the U.S.-Mexico border to enhance cross-border coordination
and response capabilities. These exercises, typically spanning two days,
involve both tabletop discussions and hands-on, extended exercises. The most
recent large-scale event took place in Eagle Pass, Texas, on April 19, 2023,
marking the first such event in Eagle Pass since a similar exercise which was held a
decade prior in collaboration with U.S. Northern Command.
Supported by the EPA’s Office of Land and Emergency Management
and the Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response Policy, these events aim
to improve coordination among local, state, and federal agencies from both sides
of the border. Day one is focused on knowledge sharing, enabling agencies to
discuss their protocols, authorities, and resources for responding to emergency
incidents like hazardous material spills along the border. Day two features a
comprehensive tabletop exercise that challenges participants from U.S. and
Mexican agencies to test their response plans and identify potential gaps in
existing emergency frameworks.
These exercises provide a critical opportunity for local
responders to receive hands-on training in air monitoring, emergency response
tactics, and hazard management. Partners such as Union Pacific and BNSF
railways often participate, providing industry expertise to enhance training
for local responders. The primary objectives of the exercises are to foster
effective bi-national communication, strengthen cross-border collaboration, and
update the Border 2025 Sister City Plan to reflect current needs and
capabilities. These exercises are integral to improving emergency preparedness
and ensuring communities along the U.S.-Mexico border are equipped to respond
to hazardous material incidents effectively.
