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 Technology & Development Center |
Personal Safety of Federal Land-Management Field Employees Working Along the Mexican Border
This paper has pointed to a number of unique but widespread problems affecting the personal safety and health of many employees working in remote locations along the Mexican border. These problems are everyday concerns for the permanent field employees who work from southern California to the west coast of Texas. But the problems also affect employees from throughout the Nation who are detailed to this area. One supervisor said, "Those who come from outside the area leave with huge eyes."
Based on data we gathered from this trip, we offer two recommendations:
Recommendation 1—We recommend producing two training DVDs following the format, style, and methodology used to produce the four personal safety training videos for the Forest Service. Each DVD also would include supplemental scenario training (in which trainees act out scenarios to learn personal safety techniques). The first DVD, Personal Safety in Remote Work Locations: Working on the Border, would emphasize awareness. The second DVD, Personal Safety in Remote Work Locations: Managing Unexpected Encounters on the Border, would focus on work practices field employees can use to increase their personal safety and reduce the risk of health hazards while working in the field on or near the border.
Recommendation 2—Wildland firefighters have unique problems when fighting wildland fires on or near the border. Many of these problems extend beyond personal safety and health of employees. However, there are safety and health problems all firefighters should become aware of, especially firefighters coming from other parts of the country. The first DVD could help increase the safety and health awareness for firefighters. However, many of the other new problems facing incident commanders on the border should be studied by the wildland fire community and incorporated into training.
These two DVDs will not solve all the personal safety and health problems that exist for employees working on the border. The problem is too large and requires a long-term coordinated safety program involving law enforcement officers, safety specialists, university researchers, State agencies, and Federal land managers. However, these DVDs will help prepare employees to recognize and cope with the dangers they face every day.
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