The U.S. and Mexican militaries resumed joint disaster-response training. Simulating a train derailment with a chemical spill Thursday in Downtown Juarez. The exercise aimed at moving forward collaborative emergency response capabilities between the two nations.
Prepared for Disaster: U.S. and Mexican Military Teams
The training exercise played out with soldiers administering care to people lying on the ground. Sitting or standing, pretending to be casualties of the simulated disaster. Heavy smoke billowed alongside parked tank cars on a rail line that passes through the heart of this city. And extends even to a railroad bridge into El Paso, Texas. Thirty passers were incapacitated or killed by noxious fumes from a chemical fire. That overwhelmed first responders and Juarez Red Cross paramedics, according to Mexican Army Maj. Jose Luis Cora Torres.
“We moved in to assume control. We assessed that the fire was quite big, so we requested air support,” Cora explained.
The Fuerzas Amigas 2024 training program demonstrates the collaboration between U.S. and Mexican militaries in handling mass-casualty events. That could overwhelm civil authorities on both sides of the border. The scenario underlined that in case of such an event, resources from both countries. Would be orchestrated to assist in relief efforts. If this were to happen on the U.S. side, Mexican troops would also stand at the ready.
Fuerzas Amigas : Troops Unite in Disaster Preparedness
Fuerzas Amigas 2024 promo A weeklong exercise to prepare for those catastrophic events that would impact border communities. For the first time, the exercises are outside a military base. In full view of civilians, and in locations where the actual mass-casualty events might happen. Other exercises included simulating a stadium collapse following an earthquake and medical evacuations using transport helicopters.
In this exercise, we simulated a chemical fire situation. The fumes from the fire are highly dangerous. And we had to handle the situation carefully due to its time-sensitivity. The simulation provided very valuable experience. For both U.S. and Mexican troops in handling complex disaster scenarios in an urban environment.
The joint training is part of a continuous exercise that builds up disaster-response coordination between the two nations. A detachment of Mexican soldiers attended similar training at Camp Pendleton, California, in 2022. In 2022, American troops crossed the border for exercises in Reynosa, Mexico. Both nations will ensure they are prepared to respond to emergencies affecting the border. Region through their cooperative efforts.
He said every resource should be employed in such a situation. “Population centers on either side of the U.S.-Mexico border must utilize all available resources when faced with potential mass-casualty events,” said Cora.
Final Day of Joint Exercises
The integration of efforts by the U.S. and Mexico is crucial to have operations. In disaster responses done on time and effectively. Both forces would work together in supporting each other with their capabilities and assets. Conducted training exercises advance the trust, communication, and coordination of the two military forces that are essential in disaster response.
On Friday, the last day of Fuerzas Amigas 2024. We will exercise different trainings and evaluate how we can improve our responses to catastrophes. We will assess the effectiveness of our strategies and identify areas for further development.
The joint disaster-response exercise held at Juarez, Mexico. Was a huge step toward the enhanced preparedness of both U.S. and Mexican troops. Against all odds of disaster. Trainings such as these will prepare both nations for any disaster that may hit their respective countries. And threaten the safety and welfare of their citizens, if conducted in a real-life-like situation.
International Cooperation in Action
As the week-long training program comes to a close, lessons learned from Fuerzas Amigas 2024 will contribute to efforts underway. To beef up disaster-response capabilities along the U.S.-Mexico border. It is an evident cooperation in every exercise that manifests. The commitment it entails to securing both nations’ border communities.
These training exercises, conducted by combined U.S. and Mexican troops. Underscore further the instance of international cooperation. To address their response to disasters. Both nations can respond to and reduce the impacts of such coming disasters through continued collaboration to save lives of their citizens. And maintain the stability of the border region.
