Agencies from U.S., Mexico participate in binational exercise

By Adriana M. Chávez / El Paso Times
Posted: 10/06/2011 11:36:07 AM MDT

Update
Dozens of agencies from both sides of the border are meeting today to improve upon communications in the event of a cross-border emergency.

The exercise is being hosted by the U.S. Border Patrol and Mexico's Office of Investigations and National Security.

At least 20 agencies are participating in the event, which focuses on a scenario in which drug-related violence in on the increase in the area, and frustrations from the public are growing in the wake of an increase in toll fees at the ports of entry.

This is the second year the agencies have participating in this type of exercise.

"Last year we identified problems in areas we needed to improve upon," said Border Patrol Agent Robert Sendex, who oversees the agency's Emergency Planning Office. "This year we will see if we corrected those areas."

Officials said the exercise is designed to evaluate international, inter-agency and intra-agency communication and emergency response capabilities.

Read more in Friday's El Paso Times.

Original story

Several local, state and federal agencies from the U.S. and Mexico will be participating in a binational exercise Thursday near the Border Patrol station in Northeast El Paso.

The exercise, which will be conducted by the New Mexico/West Texas Alliance to Combat Transnational Threats, will help identify the ability of the participating agencies in responding to and recovering from a catastrophic event along the U.S./Mexico border. It will be facilitated by the Border Patrol's Emergency Planning Office in El Paso, and the Mexico's national center for investigation and security.
Residents and motorists near the Border Patrol station at 9201 Gateway South should expect to see a heavy law enforcement presence in the area from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday.

http://www.elpasotimes.com/newupdated/ci_19046247