Binational Prevention and Emergency 

Response Plan Between Cochise County, 

Arizona and Naco, Sonora
 
BINATIONAL PREVENTION
 

AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN 

BETWEEN 

NACO, SONORA AND COCHISE COUNTY, ARIZONA 

October 4, 2002
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

SECTION PAGE 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .............................................................................................................. v 

FORWARD................................................................................................................................... vii 

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING................................................................................. 1 

EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION FORM ...................................................................................... 7 

1.0 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 9
 

1.1 Naco, Sonora/Cochise County, Arizona Plan Area ...............................................10 

1.1.1 Physical Environment ................................................................................10 

1.1.2 Population ..................................................................................................11 

1.1.3 Economy ....................................................................................................12 

1.1.4 Infrastructure..............................................................................................12 

1.1.5 Cultural Significance .................................................................................13 

1.2 Authority................................................................................................................13
 

1.2.1 Laws and Statutes ......................................................................................13 

1.2.2 Regulations ................................................................................................14 

1.2.3 Binational Agreements...............................................................................14 

1.3 Other Applicable Contingency Plans.....................................................................14 

1.3.1 Binational Contingency Plans....................................................................14 

1.3.2 Mexico Contingency Plans ........................................................................15 

1.3.3 United States Contingency Plans...............................................................16 

2.0 HAZARDS ANALYSIS AND RISK REDUCTION....................................................... 17 

2.1 Businesses Using, Handling, or Storing Hazardous Materials (Fixed Facilities)..17 

2.1.1 Naco, Sonora..............................................................................................17 

2.1.2 Naco, Arizona ............................................................................................17 

2.2 Transportation Systems..........................................................................................18 

2.2.1 Naco, Sonora..............................................................................................18 

2.2.2 Naco, Arizona ............................................................................................19 

2.3 Ports of Entry .........................................................................................................20 

2.4 Sensitive Populations and Vulnerable Areas .........................................................21 

2.5 Drinking Water Supplies and Wastewater Treatment ...........................................23 

2.5.1 Naco, Sonora..............................................................................................23 

2.5.2 Naco, Arizona ............................................................................................23 

2.6 Risk Reduction Opportunities and Recommendations ..........................................25 

Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

Between Naco, Sonora and Cochise County, Arizona 

October 4, 2002 i 
TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) 

SECTION PAGE 

3.0 EMERGENCY RESPONSE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ................................. 27 

3.1 Notification ............................................................................................................27 

3.2 Private Response Mechanisms...............................................................................27 

3.3 Local Response ......................................................................................................27 

3.3.1 City of Naco, Sonora Mutual Aid Request ................................................27 

3.3.2 Cochise County, Arizona Mutual Aid Request..........................................28 

3.3.3 Local Response Duties...............................................................................28 

3.4 State Response .......................................................................................................29 

3.5 Federal Response ...................................................................................................29 

3.5.1 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.....................................................30 

3.5.2 Civil Protection ..........................................................................................31 

3.6 Joint Response Team .............................................................................................31 

4.0 INCIDENT RESPONSE OPERATIONS AND RESOURCES....................................... 33 

4.1 Discovery and Notification....................................................................................33 

4.2.1 Preliminary Assessment.............................................................................33 

4.2.2 Initiation of Action.....................................................................................34 

4.3 Containment...........................................................................................................34 

4.4 Documentation and Cost Recovery .......................................................................34 

4.5 Evacuation or Shelter-In-Place ..............................................................................34 

4.6 Post-Incident Management ....................................................................................35 

4.7 Response and Cleanup Funding Availability.........................................................35 

4.7.1 State Funds.................................................................................................36 

4.7.2 Federal Funds.............................................................................................36 

4.8 Communications ....................................................................................................37 

4.9 Health and Safety...................................................................................................37 

4.10 Response Resources...............................................................................................38 

5.0 TRAINING AND EXERCISES ....................................................................................... 39 

5.1 Training..................................................................................................................39 

5.2 Exercises ................................................................................................................39
 

Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

Between Naco, Sonora and Cochise County, Arizona 

ii October 4, 2002 
TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) 

LIST OF APPENDICES 

Appendix A Businesses Using, Handling or Storing Hazardous Materials - Naco, Arizona 

Appendix B Maquiladora and Facility Directory - Naco, Sonora 

Appendix C Sensitive Populations and Vulnerable Areas 

Appendix D U.S. Customs Service Procedures for Cross Border Emergency Response 

Appendix E U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service Procedures for Cross Border 

Emergency Response 

Appendix F Cross Border Emergency Medical Services Response Sequence 

Appendix G Response Resources 

Appendix H Emergency Notification 

Appendix I Abbreviations and Acronyms 

Appendix J Definitions 

Appendix K Revision Diary 

Appendix L Cross Border Critical Incident Response Team 

A supplemental directory of Hazardous Material Planning and Emergency Response Contacts 

was prepared for emergency responders in the plan area. 

LIST OF MAPS 

1. U.S. / Mexico Sister Cities Map 

2. Aerial Photograph: Naco, Arizona – Naco, Sonora 

3. Current Land Use Plan: Naco, Arizona 

4. Current Land Use Plan: Naco, Sonora 

5. Land Use Plans Naco, Arizona – Naco, Sonora 

Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

Between Naco, Sonora and Cochise County, Arizona 

October 4, 2002 iii 
Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

Between Naco, Sonora and Cochise County, Arizona 

iv October 4, 2002 
 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
 

This plan was initiated and prepared by a Steering Committee for the communities of Cochise 

County, Arizona and Naco, Sonora with the support of the department heads of all participating 

agencies. The Steering Committee members include: 

J. Lorenzo Villegas Mayor, City of Naco, Sonora 

Paul Newman District 2 Supervisor, Cochise County, Arizona 

Dr. Diane Carper Director, Cochise County, Health Department 

Bob Bobar Emergency Coordinator, Cochise County, Office of 

Emergency Services 

José Humberto Amaya Secretary of the City, Naco, Sonora 

Dr. Lamberto Cuevas Director, Health Department, City of Naco, Sonora 

Michael Foster Former State On-Scene Coordinator, Arizona Department of 

Environmental Quality, Fire Chief-Elect of Rio Rico, Arizona 

Agustín Ramírez Mexican Customs Port Director, Naco, Sonora 

Carlos Arias Deputy Director, Civil Protection, Sonora 

Norma Stemple Port Director, U.S. Customs Service, Naco, Arizona 

Charles Stemple Area Port Director, U.S. Immigration and Naturalization 

Service 

Fernando Juvera Deputy Director, PROFEPA, Sonora 

Lauren Volpini U.S./Mexico Liaison, U.S. EPA Region IX 

Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

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October 4, 2002 v 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The plan was prepared with funding and support of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 

Region IX. The Steering Committee would like to thank the following people for their 

assistance: 

Carlos Kitazawa Director, Civil Protection, Sonora 

Otto G. Clausen Iberri Director, PROFEPA, Sonora 

Jody Klein County Administrator, Cochise County, Arizona 

Luis Miranda City of Naco, Sonora 

Robert Frias Supervisory Immigration Inspector U.S. Immigration 

 and Naturalization Service, Naco, Arizona 

Karla Jensen Cochise County Public Information Officer 

Susan Peru Cochise County Health Department 

Susan Warne Cochise County Health Department 

Carol Moore Cochise County Health Department 

Maria Mena Cochise County Health Department 

Bill Miller Assistant Fire Chief, Fry Fire District 

Jack Earnest Chief, Bisbee Fire Department 

Gerald Eberwein Chief, Naco Fire District 

Geoffrey Bogart Science Applications International Corporation 

Rosa Maria Boadella English/Spanish Interpreter and Translator 

Alfonso Villaseñor English/Spanish Interpreter and Translator 

Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

Between Naco, Sonora and Cochise County, Arizona 

vi October 4, 2002 
 

BINATIONAL PREVENTION AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN 

FOR THE REGIONAL COMMUNITIES OF
 

NACO, SONORA, MEXICO AND 

COCHISE COUNTY, ARIZONA, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 

FORWARD
 

In 1999, the United States of America and Mexico signed a Joint Contingency Plan (JCP) that 

established a foundation for cooperative efforts regarding preparedness, mitigation, response and 

prevention of hazardous substance releases in the border area, which is defined as 62.2 miles 

(100 km.) on either side of the inland international boundary. The JCP serves as an umbrella 

plan which sets forth a broad framework for planning efforts for the 14 Sister City pairs on the 

U.S.- Mexico border from California through Texas. The federal governments of the United 

States of America and Mexico acknowledge the need for Sister City Planning. They recognize 

the benefits of cross border response and cooperative sharing of resources and manpower in 

times of national disasters. So too, the communities of Cochise County, Arizona, and Naco, 

Sonora recognize their need to cooperate with each other in times of local disasters and to take 

preventive measures to reduce risks and mitigate incidents. 

This binational plan calls for increased communication, coordination and cooperation to prevent 

and respond to a hazardous substance release in the border area. Its goals and objectives are to 

more effectively and efficiently utilize resources on both sides of the border to prevent and 

respond to emergency situations to protect public health, safety, and environment in the border 

area. 

It is not the intent of this plan to supersede any existing local, state, regional, or federal 

authorities or plan when a disaster or emergency has been declared in the border area. Rather, 

the purpose is to complement existing local, state, regional, or federal plans and to better serve 

the local binational community. 

Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

Between Naco, Sonora and Cochise County, Arizona 

October 4, 2002 vii 
Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

Between Naco, Sonora and Cochise County, Arizona 

viii October 4, 2002 
 

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON CROSS BORDER COMMUNICATIONS
 

AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE STRATEGIES FOR POLLUTING INCIDENTS FOR 

THE COMMUNITIES OF NACO, SONORA, MEXICO AND COCHISE COUNTY, 

ARIZONA, UNITED STATES 

The City of Naco, Sonora and the County of Cochise, Arizona have agreed to provide mutual 

cooperation to effectively reduce the risk of and respond to threats to the public health, safety 

and welfare of the communities caused by explosions, fires, spills, or releases of hazardous 

substances into the environment. This understanding is to reinforce the cooperation between the 

jurisdictions to be able to prevent and respond more efficiently to these emergencies. 

The following statements of principles are intended to serve as a guide to emergency response 

authorities in both jurisdictions. 

1. Nothing in this understanding shall revoke or diminish the application of United States 

law in the United States or Mexican law in Mexico. However, the authorities of either 

country may request the assistance of the other country in order to mitigate the situation, 

if the normal application of law in either country might lead to delay or difficulty in the 

rapid execution of necessary emergency response measures. 

2. The agencies of both jurisdictions charged with emergency responsibilities will seek to 

ensure that in areas of common concern, plans of the two jurisdictions for the emergency 

use of manpower, material resources, supplies, systems, and services shall, where feasible 

and practicable, be compatible and involve mutual training. To this end, a Binational 

Emergency Planning Committee (BEPC) will be established and will meet at least once 

every two years. The BEPC will address planning and preparedness activities and 

conduct an annual binational exercise to evaluate and improve the coordination of this 

plan. 

3. It is mutually agreed that this understanding does not relieve any of the mentioned parties 

of the obligation to provide protection against fires or other emergencies, according to 

their respective jurisdictions, and to use reasonable diligence in maintaining all 

equipment in adequate condition according to industry standards. The decision to render 

aid across the border rests ultimately with the County Administrator of Cochise County, 

Arizona, when requested by the Mayor of Naco, Sonora and with the Mayor of Naco, 

Sonora, when requested by County Administrator of Cochise County. Each jurisdiction 

may decide not to render aid, depending on each incident, if its resources are not capable 

of meeting obligations in its own jurisdiction. 

4.	 Although the Plan has executed elements of community coordination, there still remain 

issues that may require state or federal legislation to resolve and issues that may not be 

resolved. Some of the challenges that remain are: 

a.	 Emergency response equipment is not covered by the U.S. insurance policies once the 

vehicles and equipment cross the international border either direction. 

Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

Between Naco, Sonora and Cochise County, Arizona 

October 4, 2002 1 
b.	 Good Samaritan laws do not protect emergency responders from a personal liability 

lawsuit in Mexico. Mexican responders in the U.S. are covered by existing Good 

Samaritan laws. 

c.	 There is no accepted standard communication frequency available to coordinate 

incident response within the Border area nor is their common licensing to operate on 

compatible frequencies. 

The issues listed above may require federal legislation to resolve. While this Plan will be 

executed, it will be necessary to pursue resolution of these issues at the federal and state levels of 

both countries. 

A possible solution would be umbrella coverage through the state and federal governments for 

emergency vehicles and personnel and licensing of the Border emergency response participants 

to operate on compatible frequencies on both sides of the Border. 

5. The jurisdiction providing the assistance will supervise their necessary personnel and 

assigned equipment. The group receiving aid will have authorized persons to provide 

general directions related to the work. The responsible party for the spill receiving the 

assistance will be responsible for providing the responders the necessary materials, food, 

shelter, temporary housing, gasoline and lubricants for the equipment and any other such 

items needed to respond adequately. 

6. The jurisdictions involved in this understanding will not be required to pay compensation 

to the other for services rendered. 

7. Each government will use its best efforts to facilitate the movement of evacuees, 

refugees, emergency response personnel, equipment or other resources into its territory or 

across its territory from one area of the country to another when such movement is 

desired to facilitate emergency response operations in either country. To this end: 

a. To the maximum extent permitted by law and regulation, the Government of the 

United States and the Government of Mexico, during the period of an emergency, 

will use their best efforts to minimize any delays, which might otherwise be 

caused by border crossing requirements. Both governments will also use their 

best efforts to ensure that emergency response equipment, facilities, and supplies 

may be used effectively and to mutual advantage in joint efforts, tests, 

preparations and exercises. 

b. The emergency response agencies of both governments will consult together to 

identify and remove any serious potential impediments to cross border assistance, 

emergency operations and the cross border flow of commodities for emergency 

response. Unresolved problems should be communicated to the Joint Response 

Team for appropriate action. 

Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

Between Naco, Sonora and Cochise County, Arizona 

2 October 4, 2002 
8. For the purpose of emergency relief, health and welfare services, each government will 

use its best efforts to ensure that the affected persons receive the best treatment available. 

9. It is recognized and agreed that in undertaking this cooperative effort, neither Cochise 

County nor the City of Naco, Sonora are assuming any legal responsibility for the actions 

taken by the various other participating agencies, governmental bodies or organizations 

that may agree to cooperate in any response action, or for the costs incurred by any such 

agencies. Both parties agree to work cooperatively to seek reimbursement for any such 

costs or expenses from available federal or state programs. Neither party shall be 

obligated under this agreement to dedicate its own governmental funds for this effort, 

except as any such contribution may be expressly authorized by the respective governing 

bodies of these parties. 

10. Each government will use its discretionary powers as far as possible to avoid a levy of 

any national tax on the services, equipment and supplies of the other country when the 

latter are engaged in emergency response activities on the territory of the other, and will 

use their best efforts to encourage state, provincial, and local authorities to do likewise. 

11. Each government will include provisions for adequate security and care for the personnel, 

equipment, and resources of the other country in authorized emergency response 

activities. Such provisions will also ensure access to supplies necessary for their return. 

12. Each government will call to the attention of its federal, state, local or other authorities in 

areas adjacent to the international border the desirability of achieving compatibility in 

emergency response planning between the United States and Mexico. For the purpose of 

achieving the most effective emergency response planning cooperation possible between 

the United States and Mexico, each government will, in a manner consistent with national 

plans and policies, also encourage and facilitate cooperative emergency arrangements 

between adjacent jurisdictions on matters falling within the competence of such 

jurisdictions. 

13. Every two years, the parties will examine the present understanding in light of its 

application in order to decide whether it must be modified. In addition, at any time the 

parties may examine this understanding and propose changes to the other party by 

personal service or certified mail. Changes will be considered effective starting on the 

date of the amendment's signing by all parties. 

14. Any party to this understanding may withdraw at any time giving thirty calendar days 

prior written notice to all the parties. 

Any party may change its service address by five calendar days written notice to each of 

the other parties. 

Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

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October 4, 2002 3 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notice of withdrawal and change of address shall be served by personal service or by the 

respective party's Postal Service certified mail addressed to: 

Board of Supervisors 

Cochise County 

1415 W. Melody Lane, Building B

Bisbee, Arizona 85603 

Presidencia Municipal 

H. Ayuntamiento de Naco 

 Francisco Madero s/n 

Naco, Sonora 84180 

In witness, whereof, this understanding has been executed on October 4, 2002. 

//Original signed by// 

Patrick Call 

Chairman, Board of Supervisors 

Cochise County, Arizona 

//Original signed by// 

Paul Newman 

District 2 Supervisor 

Cochise County, Arizona 

//Original signed by// 

Leslie E. Thompson 

District 3 Supervisor 

Cochise County, Arizona 

//Original signed by// 

Nadine Parkhurst 

Clerk of the Board 

Cochise County, Arizona 

//Original signed by// 

J. Lorenzo Villegas V. 

Presidente Municipal 

Naco, Sonora 

//Original signed by// 

José Humberto Amaya 

Secretario del Ayuntamiento 

Naco, Sonora 

Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

Between Naco, Sonora and Cochise County, Arizona 

4 October 4, 2002 
 

 

24-HOUR EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION 

Any substantial threat to the public health, safety, or the environment due to an accidental spill 

or release of an oil or hazardous material into the air, surface water, groundwater, or onto the 

ground, should be reported to: 

UNITED STATES MEXICO 

First Response 

9-1-1 (from U.S.) 

001-520-432-9501 (from Mexico) 

First Response 

060 (from Mexico) 

01152-6536-2125 (from U.S.) 

01152-6534-3282 (from U.S.) 

National Response Center National Communications Center: CENACOM 

1-800-424-8802 (from U.S.) (Federal) Civil Protection Agency 

001-202-267-2675 (from Mexico) 01-800-004-1300 (from Mexico) 

U.S. EPA Region IX Spill Phone 01-55-5550-4885 (from Mexico) 

1-415-947-4400 (from U.S.) 01152-55-5550-4885 (from U.S.) 

001-415-947-4400 (from Mexico) 

State of Arizona: ADEQ 

Department of Environmental Quality 

(Releases from fixed facilities) 

(State On-Scene Coordinator) 

1-602-390-7894 (from U.S.) 

001-602-390-7894 (from Mexico) 

(For Spill Reporting “Reportable Quantity”) 

1-602-771-2330 (from U.S.) 

001-602-771-2330 (from Mexico) 

State of Arizona: DPS 

Department of Public Safety 

(Releases during transportation – 24 hr Line) 

1-602-223-2212 (from U.S.) 

001-602-223-2212 (from Mexico) 

State Communications Center 

Civil Protection Agency, Sonora 

01-662-217-5430 (from Mexico) 

01-662-217-3816 (from Mexico) 

01-662-217-5410 (from Mexico) 

01152-662-217-5430 (from U.S.) 

01152-662-217-5410 (from U.S.) 

01152-662-217-3816 (from U.S.) 

Naco, Arizona Port of Entry 

U.S. Immigration and Nat. Service 

520-432-3111 (from U.S.) 

001-520-432-3111 (from Mexico) 

U.S. Customs 

520-432-5349 (from U.S.) 

001-520-432-5349 (from Mexico) 

Naco, Sonora Port of Entry 

Mexican Customs 

01-633-334-0098 (from Mexico) 

01152-633-334-0098 (from U.S.) 

Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

Between Naco, Sonora and Cochise County, Arizona 

October 4, 2002 5 
Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

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6 October 4, 2002 
 

 

 

 

 

EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION FORM 

When any party is notified of an actual or threatened spill, release, fire or explosion of a 

hazardous substance conforming to this plan, the following information should be provided. A 

larger version of this form is provided in Appendix H. 

a. Reporting party (name of functionary or responder, 

telephone number, and address) / Informante 

(nombre del funcionario o de él que responde, 

número de teléfono y dirección): 

b. Suspected responsible party (name, telephone 

number, and address) / Probable entidad 

responsable (nombre, número de teléfono y 

dirección): 

c. Description of incident (how the release, spill, fire, or explosion occurred) / Descripción del incidente (cómo 

ocurrió la fuga, el derrame, el fuego o la explosión): 

d. Date and time of incident / Fecha y hora del incidente: 

e. Vehicle identification number / Número de identificación del vehículo: 

f. Location / Lugar: 

g. Type of container and capacity / Tipo de contenedor y capacidad: 

h. Specific identifiers (i.e., cross road, railroad milepost) / Identificadores específicos (e.g., intersección, 

kilómetro de la vía del ferrocarril): 

i. Hazardous substances involved / Sustancias 

peligrosas involucradas: 

j. Quantity / Cantidad: 

k. Spill or release to air, soil, or water: Where is it going? How much to water? / Derrame o escape al aire, 

suelo o agua: ¿hacia dónde va? ¿Qué cantidad va al agua? : 

l. Corrective actions taken / Medidas de corrección tomadas: 

m. Roads closed / Caminos cerrados: 

n. Number of deaths, injuries, or evacuations / Número de muertos, heridos o evacuaciones: 

o. Other notifications made / Otras notificaciones hechas: 

p. Additional comments / Comentarios adicionales: 

Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

Between Naco, Sonora and Cochise County, Arizona 

October 4, 2002 7 
Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

Between Naco, Sonora and Cochise County, Arizona 

8 October 4, 2002 
1.0 INTRODUCTION 

In 1983, the United States of America and Mexico signed the La Paz Agreement. This landmark 

document sets forth binational cooperation for the protection, improvement and conservation of 

the environment in the border area. Annex II of the La Paz Agreement creates a Joint Response 

Team (JRT) whose major responsibility was to author a Joint Contingency Plan (JCP). In 1988, 

the U.S. and Mexico signed the Joint United States of America - United Mexican States 

Contingency Plan for Accidental Releases of Hazardous Substance Along the Border, revised in 

June 1999 as the Joint United States - Mexico Contingency Plan for Preparedness for and 

Response to Environmental Emergencies Caused by Releases, Spills, Fires, or Explosions of 

Hazardous Substances in the Inland Border Area. 

The JCP specifically calls for the development of Sister City Plans for the 14 Sister City pairs 

along the U.S.-Mexico border from California through Texas. Sister City planning is a vehicle to 

lay out a binational framework of cross border cooperation and collaboration of resources and 

manpower during a polluting incident in the border area and a communications strategy to more 

effectively control an emergency situation. 

This document is a binational emergency response and prevention plan for the Naco, Sonora and 

the Cochise County, Arizona border area. It consists of an overview of the plan area, a 

communication strategy ready for implementation during a polluting incident, and identification 

of hazards and vulnerable areas. This plan specifically addresses the requirement under the JCP 

to prepare Sister City plans. It is not intended to replace or supplant any plans in effect in the 

region, but is designed to aid in a binational response to a hazardous materials incident that may 

affect the border area. 

This plan at no time usurps existing federal, state, county, regional, or municipal plans within the 

jurisdictional boundary addressed by this plan. 

If the region affected declares an emergency under this plan to be in effect, the municipality 

affected will, subject to its own disaster plan, inform state and federal officials, as identified in 

their respective plans. The Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan is activated for 

the short term only and it will provide specifics for the coordination of resources and equipment. 

The initial and prime responsibility for providing immediate assistance rests with the city, county 

or regional government affected. It is at this level that services such as fire, police, health, social 

services, public works, and public utilities are located. An emergency under the Binational 

Prevention and Emergency Response Plan may be declared when (1) a city, county or region so 

requests from the head of government, (2) the emergency, due to geography, may dictate 

evacuation into a neighboring region, (3) the municipality, county or region affected may request 

mutual aid support, supplying manpower, resources, social services, fire, public works, 

emergency health services, and other specialized expertise as deemed necessary by the affected 

municipality, or (4) the emergency may affect a neighboring municipality, county, or region. 

Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

Between Naco, Sonora and Cochise County, Arizona 

October 4, 2002 9 
 

1.1 Naco, Sonora/Cochise County, Arizona Plan Area 

The Mexican City of Naco is located in northeastern Sonora on the U.S.-Mexico border, 

200 miles (333 km.) from the state capital of Hermosillo. The city rests at an altitude of 5,029 

feet (1,524 meters) above sea level and covers roughly 251 square miles (651 sq. km.). 

Naco, Sonora was founded in 1901, upon the commencement of the construction of the NacoCananea railroad. The town became an official city in 1937. 

Cochise County was formed on February 1, 1881 and is named after the famous Chiricahua 

Apache leader Cochise. It encompasses 6,256 square miles (16,200 sq. km.) and is roughly 

square in shape being approximately 85 miles (137 km.) wide and 75 miles (121 km.) long. It is 

located in the extreme southeast corner of the State of Arizona. It shares common borders with 

Santa Cruz and Pima Counties on the west, Graham and Greenlee Counties on the north, by the 

State of New Mexico on the east, and by the Mexican State of Sonora on the south. Forty 

percent of the County's land is privately owned with the remainder being owned by state and 

federal governments. 

The U.S. townsite of Naco is located on the border with Mexico in south-central Cochise 

County. It is roughly 95 miles (153 km.) southeast of Tucson, three miles (4.8 km.) south of 

Bisbee and thirty miles (48 km.) north of Cananea, Mexico. Formerly a major agribusiness cattle 

crossing location, today Naco, Arizona is a small, unincorporated town that covers 260 acres 

(1.05 sq. km.) along the U.S. border with Mexico. 

The twin Nacos were established as ports of entry between Bisbee, Arizona, and the new mines 

at Cananea, Sonora. A railroad between Naco and Cananea was completed in 1901, which 

transported miners and equipment south to the mines and copper to the north. From the 1930s 

until the 1980s, the area served as a principal route for the processing and shipping of cattle 

between Mexico and the United States. 

1.1.1 Physical Environment 

The southern and central parts of the municipality of Naco, Sonora include rugged terrain formed 

by the Sierra of San Jose. The semi-flat areas are located in the northern and southern areas, and 

are made up of plateaus and gradual slopes. The flat portions of the city are located to the west 

and are bordered by the Magallanes Mountains to the east and the San Jose Mountains to the 

south. 

The main river in Naco, Sonora is the Punto de Agua River that originates in the United States 

and flows towards Agua Prieta where it feeds the river of the same name. 

The local climate is considered semi-dry, temperate. The median annual temperature is 68.9° F 

(20.5° C), with a median annual precipitation of 18.4 inches (466.6 millimeters). The region 

experiences occasional freezes in the months of November and February. 

Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

Between Naco, Sonora and Cochise County, Arizona 

10 October 4, 2002 
Cochise County is mountainous with broad valleys, which generally run in a north to south 

direction. It is characterized by desert vegetation, grasslands, and by evergreen forest in the 

mountainous regions. Annual rainfall is normally from 9.84 to 18.44 inches (250 to 468 

millimeters), falling principally in the summer months. The average humidity is low, varying 

from 29% to 65%. The temperatures depend on the altitude and vary from 63 to 95 oF 

(17 to 35oC) in the summer and 30 to 64 oF (-1 to 18 oC) in the winter. Snow occurs at higher 

elevations in the winter. 

Table 1 shows average monthly temperatures and precipitation for the plan area. 

Table 1 

WEATHER 

Naco, Arizona / Naco, Sonora 

Month 

January 

February 

March 

April 

May 

June 

July 

August 

September 

October 

November 

December 

Year 

Avg. Daily High 

(°F/°C) 

Avg. Daily Low 

(°F/°C) 

59 / 15.0 35 / 1.7 

63 / 17.2 37 / 2.8 

67 / 19.4 40 / 4.4 

76 / 24.4 46 / 7.8 

84 / 28.9 53 / 11.7 

94 / 34.4 62 / 16.7 

92 / 33.3 66 / 18.9 

90 / 32.2 64 / 17.8 

86 / 30.0 60 / 15.6 

78 / 25.6 52 / 11.1 

67 / 19.4 42 / 5.6 

59 / 15.0 36 / 2.2 

76.3 / 24.6 49.4 / 9.7 

Avg. Precipitation. 

(inches/millimeters) 

0.9 / 22.86 

0.6 / 15.24 

0.6 / 15.24 

0.2 / 5.08 

0.2 / 5.08 

0.4 / 10.16 

3.3 / 83.82 

3.1 / 78.74 

1.6 / 40.64 

1.1 / 27.94 

0.6 / 15.24 

1 / 25.4 

13.6 / 345.4

 Source: www.weather.com, 2002 data for Naco, AZ. 

1.1.2 Population 

Based on year 2000 figures from the U.S. and Mexican Census Bureaus, the estimated 

cumulative population of the Naco, Sonora / Naco, Arizona area is 8,833 persons with roughly 

8,000 persons residing in Naco, Sonora and 833 persons in Naco, Arizona. 

Eighty-two percent of the persons living in Naco, Arizona identify themselves as Hispanic or 

Latino. Assuming a constant annual growth rate of 2.44%, the population of Naco, Arizona is 

estimated to increase to 1,321 persons by 2016. 

According to information provided by the Population and Housing Census, from 1950 to 1990, 

Naco, Sonora increased its population from 2,495 to 4,645 inhabitants, which is equivalent to a 

1.57% annual growth rate. 

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Table 2 

POPULATION 

1990 1995 2000 

Naco, Sonora 4,645 5,733* 8,000 

Naco, Arizona - - 833 

Cochise County 97,624 122,300 117,755 

Source: U.S. Census Bureau: April 1, 2000 Census / *BECC Estimate from 1996 

1.1.3 Economy 

The primary source of employment in Naco, Sonora is the maquiladora industry. Maquiladoras 

in Naco manufacture furniture and electronics. Agriculture, livestock breeding and mining rank 

second, third and fourth, in order of revenue. There is one industrial park in Naco, Sonora. 

There are 124 commercial businesses in Naco, Sonora, including grocery stores, butcher shops, 

customs agents, parts stores, stationery stores and barbershops. The tourism industry is another 

important part of the local economy, generating over 500 direct jobs. 

The main business in Naco, Arizona is the Turquoise Valley Golf Course and the RV Park. 

The primary employers of persons working in the plan area on the U.S. side include government 

agencies (Federal, State and County), service industries, construction, and local businesses. 

1.1.4 Infrastructure 

1.1.4.1 Naco, Sonora 

The basic public services in Naco, Sonora consist of a water supply with 100% coverage, a 

sanitary sewer system to which 65% of the population is connected, a wastewater treatment plant 

system, garbage collection services and a sanitary landfill. 

A 16-inch (40.6 cm) natural gas pipeline passes through the municipality of Naco, Sonora. The 

pipeline extends a total of 211 miles (340 km.), crossing through the cities of Naco, Cananea, 

Imuris, Magdalena, Santa Ana, Benjamín Hill, and Hermosillo, with a capacity of 100 million 

cubic feet (2.8 million cubic meters) per day at a pressure of 1,000 pounds (453.6 kilos). 

Ninety percent of the urban area of Naco has electricity service. Seventy-five percent of the 

town has street lighting, particularly along the main roads and in the urban core of the city. 

Service is provided from a 345 kilovolt (kV) high-tension line that enters the city from the west. 

During summer months, Naco experiences frequent power outages due to the overheating of the 

lines. 

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There is one major radio station in Naco, Radio Ayuntamiento, which is operated by the City of 

Naco. 

1.1.4.2 Naco, Arizona 

Electricity in Naco, Arizona is supplied by Arizona Public Service. Current generating capacity 

is 4,022 megawatts (MW) and the current peak overall power system is 4,420 MW. Natural gas 

is supplied by the Southwest Gas Corporation. 

There are no local U.S. radio or television stations serving the plan area. Television coverage is 

provided by Cable 1, which has a distribution center in Bisbee, Arizona, and individually owned 

satellite receiver systems. Broadcast radio is received from Douglas and Sierra Vista, Arizona. 

There is also a low power FM broadcast station located in Naco, Sonora that provides coverage 

to the plan area. 

Qwest Communications provides the wired telephone system serving Naco. 

The U.S. Postal Service operates a Post Office, without home delivery in the plan area. 

The Naco School District operates a kindergarten through 8th grade school with a student 

enrollment of approximately 280 students. 

1.1.5 Cultural Significance 

A common culture and history reinforces the close relationship between the two communities of 

Naco, Sonora and Naco, Arizona. Mexican culture is central to the lives of the residents on both 

sides of the border, as demonstrated in the food, customs, and social ties. Roughly 80% of the 

population in Naco, Arizona is Hispanic. 

1.2 Authority 

This plan was developed in accordance with the following federal and state statutes and 

agreements for both countries. 

1.2.1 Laws and Statutes 

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980, 

42 U.S.C. § 9601 et seq. 

Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) of 1986 (Title III of 

Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) of 1986), 42 U.S.C. § 11001 et seq. 

The General Law of Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection (Published January 28, 

1988). 

Law No. 104 on Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection for the State of Sonora 

(Published December 3, 1991). 

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 1.2.2 Regulations 

40 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 300, National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution 

Contingency Plan (2000). 

29 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1910.120, Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency 

Response (2000). 

Bylaws of the Secretariat of the Environment and Natural Resources (Published July 4, 2001). 

Bylaws of the General Law of Ecological Balance concerning Hazardous Waste (Published 

November 25, 1988). 

1.2.3 Binational Agreements 

Agreement Between the United States of America and the United Mexican States on 

Cooperation for the Protection and Improvement of the Environment in the Border Area (La Paz 

Agreement) (August 14, 1983). 

Annex II to the Agreement (July 18, 1985, revised June 1999) is the foundation for the 

development of the Joint Contingency Plan. 

1.3 Other Applicable Contingency Plans 

Sections of the agreements and plans described below were adapted for use in various 

components of this plan. 

1.3.1 Binational Contingency Plans 

The United States-Mexico Joint Contingency Plan (JCP) for Preparedness for and Response to 

Environmental Emergencies Caused by Releases, Spills, Fires or Explosions of Hazardous 

Substances in the Inland Border Area (June 4, 1999). 

Joint United States of America - United Mexican States Contingency Plan for Accidental 

Releases of Hazardous Substances along the Border (1988). 

The Joint Response Team (JRT) is an entity authorized by Annex II of the La Paz Agreement to 

undertake emergency actions to respond to accidental oil and hazardous materials spills along the 

62.2-mile (100 km.) wide area on either side of the U.S.-Mexico border, and to coordinate 

international hazardous materials substance preparedness and response activities in this area. 

The JRT developed the JCP to respond to spills requiring international coordination between the 

United States and Mexico. 

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1.3.2 Mexico Contingency Plans 

1.3.2.1 Local and Regional Plans and Mutual Aid Agreements 

The City of Naco, Sonora is currently updating its emergency response plan. 

1.3.2.2 State of Sonora Plans 

State of Sonora Civil Protection Plan (1998). This plan describes protocols for Civil Protection 

in the event of a natural disaster. Specific guidelines and procedures are established for 

hurricanes, fires, droughts, and frosts. 

The State of Sonora, Mexico Catalogue of Hazards (1992) has been compiled by the State of 

Sonora and the State Unit of Civil Protection. 

1.3.2.3 Federal Plans 

Technical Guide for Developing Municipal Contingency Plans (Protección Civil) (Revised 

1998). This guidebook was published by the General Directorate of Civil Protection of the 

Mexican Federal Government in 1993. It provides guidelines for implementing local emergency 

plans in Mexico, in response to natural or man-made disasters. These plans are based on the 

identification and evaluation of local hazards, availability of human and material resources, and 

preparation and capabilities of the local community. Hazards are classified as: geological, 

hydrological/ meteorological, chemical, sanitary, or socio-organizational. Contingency plans are 

not yet mandatory by law in Mexico; however, Civil Protection strongly recommends each state 

and municipality have one. 

National Contingency Plan (Protección Civil) (2000). This Plan was developed by the General 

Directorate of Civil Protection of the Mexican Federal Government. It follows a model similar 

to that of Civil Protection plans at the state and local levels. This is Mexico's primary plan in the 

event of a disaster. This plan is updated annually. 

National System for Civil Protection Plan (2000). The Mexican Federal Government (Secretaria 

de Gobernación) developed the National System for Civil Protection for responding to all 

disasters including releases or spills involving oil or hazardous material throughout Mexico. The 

current plan outlines Civil Protection operations from 1995-2000. This plan is updated annually. 

Plan DN III-E: Civilian Population Assistance (2000). This plan, established by the Mexican 

Secretariat of National Defense, outlines the role of the Mexican Army and Air Force in the 

event of a catastrophic incident. This plan is updated annually. 

Manual of Emergency Attention for Hydroecological Emergencies Related to Continental 

National Waters (2000). Civil Protection would implement this plan in the event of a flood, 

hurricane or other severe storm. This plan is updated annually. 

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 1.3.3 United States Contingency Plans 

1.3.3.1 Local and Regional Plans and Mutual Aid Agreements 

Cochise County Hazardous Materials Response and Recovery Plan (LEPC Plan) (1991). The 

purpose of this plan is to provide emergency responders, affected facilities, government agencies 

and the public with the necessary background data, operating procedures, and organizational 

responsibilities to more effectively plan, respond, and recover from hazardous material spills, 

fires, explosions, or other incidents. This plan is currently being updated by the County. 

1.3.3.2 State of Arizona Plans 

The State of Arizona Emergency Response and Recovery Plan (February 1998) addresses the 

consequences of any emergency or disaster where there is a need for state response and recovery 

assistance. The plan describes the methods that the state will use to assist local jurisdictions, 

mobilize resources and conduct cost recovery activities. 

The State of Arizona Hazardous Materials Response and Recovery Plan (1998) is a component 

of the above plan. It provides emergency management for a state response to a hazardous 

materials incident. The plan was developed by the Arizona Division of Emergency Management 

and the Arizona Emergency Response Commission and gives an overview of the roles and 

responsibilities of various state agencies. 

1.3.3.3 Federal Plans 

National Contingency Plan (revised 1997). The National Response Team (NRT) developed the 

National Contingency Plan (NCP) for responding to releases or spills involving oil or hazardous 

materials throughout the United States. 

U.S. EPA Region IX - Mainland Regional Contingency Plan (revised 2000). The U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) Region IX Regional Response Team (RRT) has 

developed a Contingency Plan which outlines procedures in the event of a release or spill 

occurring in the States of Arizona, California, and Nevada. 

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2.0 HAZARDS ANALYSIS AND RISK REDUCTION 

Critical to emergency response and preparedness is an analysis of the hazards posed in the plan 

area and measures to reduce the risks from these hazards. This section identifies hazards and 

analyzes vulnerable human and environmental resources and associated risks. This section also 

addresses the jurisdictions’ commitment to reduce the risks from these hazards. 

2.1 Businesses Using, Handling or Storing Hazardous Materials (Fixed Facilities) 

A discussion of fixed facilities and their hazards is presented here. A listing of fixed facilities 

using, handling or storing hazardous materials in Naco, Arizona and Naco, Sonora is provided in 

Appendices A and B respectively. 

2.1.1 Naco, Sonora 

Maquiladoras are the main industry in Naco. Maquiladoras utilize competitively priced Mexican 

labor in assembly, processing and/or other manufacturing operations. Most component parts are 

temporarily imported from the United States or other countries. Mexican law also allows these 

operations to bring in most capital, equipment and machinery from abroad. Maquiladora 

operations are generally labor-intensive, with most production geared for export from Mexico. 

Maquiladoras may be entirely foreign (U.S.) managed and 100% U.S. owned, unlike other multinationals operating in Mexico. 

The Mexican government created the Maquiladora Program in 1966 to generate employment, to 

augment the Mexican trade balance and to promote technology transfer. This program evolved 

far beyond its original focus as a regional growth strategy, and is now Mexico's largest 

non-petroleum industry, producing more than half of all exports. In 1975, maquiladoras 

employed 67,214 workers in 454 plants, generating US$1 billion worth of goods. By 2000, six 

years after the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the 

number of maquiladora plants operating in Mexico reached 3,500, employing 1.3 million 

workers and generating more than US$57 billion in annual exports. 

In 2002, two maquiladoras employing approximately 150 workers are operating in Naco, Sonora. 

These plants assemble furniture and electronics. Plans are underway to expand the industrial base 

of Naco. 

2.1.2 Naco, Arizona 

In the United States, under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act 

(EPCRA), most facilities that use large and/or toxic quantities of hazardous materials are 

required to file chemical inventory reports with their local and state emergency response 

agencies. EPCRA requires those facilities which have on-site, at any one time, 10,000 pounds 

(4,536 kg) or more of a "Hazardous Chemical" (as defined by OSHA Hazard Communication 

Regulations), or any amount over a "threshold" level of an "Extremely Hazardous Substance" 

(EHS) to file a chemical inventory report. OSHA defines a "Hazardous Chemical" as any 

chemical which is either a health hazard or a physical hazard. Material Safety Data Sheets must 

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be prepared for such chemicals. Hazardous chemicals or EHSs present in quantities that do not 

exceed the reporting threshold may be required to be reported when the Local Emergency 

Planning Committee determines that the information is important for emergency response 

preparedness. 

In Cochise County, businesses submit their chemical inventory reports to the Arizona 

Emergency Response Commission (AERC), the Cochise County Local Emergency Planning 

Committee (CCLEPC), and the Fire Department/District serving that location. These reports 

are available to the public. A listing of these facilities and the chemicals reported can be found in 

Appendix A. Although some businesses may have hazardous substances on-site, they may not 

be required to provide chemical inventories under EPCRA. 

The Arizona Water Company, which operates the Naco Pumping Plant, is the only business in 

Naco, Arizona that submits a Tier Two - Emergency and Hazardous Chemical Inventory. 

See Appendix A for more information. 

2.2 Transportation Systems 

Knowledge of chemical transportation is helpful in preventing and preparing for potential 

hazardous materials accidents. This section provides an overview of hazardous materials traffic 

in the plan area, and identifies additional data that should be collected and analyzed, such as that 

obtained in a commodity flow study. 

2.2.1 Naco, Sonora 

2.2.1.1 Roads 

The main road of the city, Francisco I. Madero, runs north-south and connects the city to Federal 

Highway No.2, and the cities of Agua Prieta and Cananea. It also connects to Federal Highway 

No. 15 (Hermosillo-Nogales). The main east-west roads in Naco are Calle Benito Juarez and 

Miguel Hidalgo. 

The City of Naco has 22.47 miles (14 km.) of paved roads. 

2.2.1.2 Railroads 

Every day, trains pass through Naco, crossing through downtown. These trains are from Grupo 

Mexico’s Ferrocarriles Mexicanos (Ferromex for its Spanish acronym). 

These trains transport, from Nogales-Cananea to Esqueda-El Tajo, empty tanks and gondolas 

with minerals for the Mexican copper foundry in El Tajo. 

Railroad cars with copper by-products and tank cars with sulfuric acid are transported from El 

Tajo-Esqueda to Cananea-Nogales. The majority of the copper by-product is headed to 

Guaymas, and from there to many other parts of the world. Other trains, known as work trains, 

transport material to repair the rails. 

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The most dangerous train is known as“El Químico” or “The Chemical,” and transports sulfuric 

acid. This train has had many accidents, the majority of them derailments. 

Chemical trains travel along rivers and arroyos. Derailments and tipping over are of great 

concern because the corrosive acid spill can reach riverbeds. 

In light of these concerns, Ferromex will be requested to comply with the following: 

•	 Trains transporting sulfuric acid should be unitary, with 24 tank cars; 

•	 Trains should be guided by a limber with railroad personnel; 

•	 Trains will not be divided en route and should not remain for long periods of time in 

cities or towns; 

•	 Trains will include one car with lime and one with water in order to neutralize spills; 

•	 In case of an accident, the crew should inform, without delay, the nearest Civil Protection 

Unit; 

•	 When workers are responding to emergencies during an accident, they do not have rubber 

boots, gloves, impervious coats or masks to protect themselves against breathing gases. 

In order for workers to be first responders, they should have specialized equipment. 

2.2.1.3 Other Means of Transport 

The City of Naco, Sonora has a runway to accommodate small planes, which is located on the 

outskirts of town, near the city’s cemetery. Efforts are currently underway to improve and 

expand this facility. 

There is a 16-inch (40.6 cm) natural gas pipeline which passes through the municipality of Naco, 

Sonora. The pipeline extends a total of 211 miles (340 km.), crossing through the cities of Naco, 

Cananea, Imuris, Magdalena, Santa Ana, Benjamín Hill, and Hermosillo, with a capacity of 100 

million cubic feet (2.8 million cubic meters) per day at a pressure of 1,000 pounds (453.6 kilos) 

2.2.2 Naco, Arizona 

2.2.2.1 Roads 

The road system in the plan area is maintained by the Cochise County Highway and Floodplain 

Department. Most of the roads are paved with a chip seal surface. Traffic on Naco streets 

ranges from 1,000 trips per day on the roads traveled to reach the Mexican border - S. Naco 

Highway, to twelve trips per day on the lesser-traveled residential streets. The only other major 

road that serves Naco, Arizona is S. Wilson Rd, which connects Naco to State Highway 92 to the 

north. This road is not a major commercial route. 

2.2.2.2 Railroads 

Currently, Naco, Arizona is not served by rail lines, although tracks are located in town on both 

sides of the border. However, Rail America is examining the feasibility of providing rail service 

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October 4, 2002 19 
 

in the Naco, Arizona border area. This service would likely transport sulfuric acid and other 

hazardous materials. Rail America has not responded to requests to discuss their plans. Also, 

the development of an industrial park in Naco may revive railroad traffic through both Nacos. 

2.3 Ports of Entry 

The Naco, Arizona/Naco, Sonora Port of Entry operates 24 hours per day. Vehicles transporting 

hazardous materials may cross from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and must provide notice to U.S. 

Customs 24 hours prior to crossing in either direction. Vehicles transporting hazardous waste in 

either direction are required to inform U.S. Customs 24 hours in advance. 

Roughly 180 pedestrians and 900 private vehicles cross the border into the U.S. each day. On 

average, 15 loaded cargo trucks head north into the U.S. daily. Similarly, 15 loaded cargo trucks 

cross into Mexico per day. These figures represent a decrease from previous years, due to a 

decline in mining activity and contraction of the maquiladora industry in Naco. 

Virtually all of the hazardous materials that cross the border are exported to Mexico. The most 

common materials entering Mexico are calcium quick lime, acorga (copper extractants), 

petroleum distillate, and cobalt sulfate. Other materials are foams for express flotation, acrylic 

polyester synthetic resins, treated wood chips, white kerosene, greases, and lubricants. Sulfuric 

acid, once common, is no longer crossing the border. It now crosses by rail through the Nogales 

Port of Entry. 

From west to east, there are six ports of entry along the Arizona-Sonora border: 

San Luis, Arizona/San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora; 

Lukeville, Arizona/Sonoita, Sonora; 

Sasabe, Arizona/Sasabe, Sonora; 

Nogales, Arizona/Nogales, Sonora (East and West Gate); 

Naco, Arizona/Naco, Sonora; and 

Douglas, Arizona/Agua Prieta, Sonora. 

The Naco crossing accounts for an estimated 2.9 percent of all commercial traffic entering 

Arizona from Mexico. Table 3 shows historical and projected commercial traffic volumes for 

the Arizona ports of entry. 

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Table 3 

Arizona Border Ports of Entry – Northbound Commercial Loads 

Border Ports of 

Entry 2000 2001 % of Total 

Load for 2001 

Douglas 32,788 34,054 10.0 

Lukeville 3,887 4,271 1.2 

Naco 8,293 9,976 2.9 

Nogales 258,201 251,474 73.5 

Sasabe 2,775 2,215 0.7 

San Luis 41,522 39,908 11.7 

Total 347,466 341,898 100 

Source: U.S. Customs, Office of Public Affairs, 08/02 

2.4 Sensitive Populations and Vulnerable Areas 

As a part of a hazard analysis, the identification of sensitive populations and vulnerable areas is 

necessary. Available information is presented here. 

2.4.1 Naco, Sonora 

2.4.1.1 Sensitive Populations 

In the City of Naco, Sonora, there are six schools, eight recreational and park areas, and 13 

religious centers throughout the city. The elementary school located on Avenida Francisco I. 

Madero, between Alvaro Obregón St. and Plutarco Elias St. may be the most vulnerable to 

environmental releases due to the proximity to the Liquid Propane Gas Station. Refer to 

Appendix C for a listing of Sensitive Populations and Vulnerable Areas. 

2.4.1.2 Population Distribution 

Naco, Sonora is a predominately residential community. The main industrial area is located in 

the south of the city. There are 124 commercial businesses located throughout the city. 

2.4.1.3 Sensitive Natural Resource Areas 

The San Pedro River originates from storms on the high slopes of north central Sonora. The 

river travels north through the Chihuahuan and Sonoran Deserts, past the city of Cananea, 

Mexico and entering the United States south of Palominas, Arizona. The San Pedro River 

riparian ecosystem is of critical importance in maintaining regional biodiversity in the 

Chihuahuan Desert. Scientists consider it a biodiversity hot spot in that it contains one of the 

richest assemblages of species and supports one of the most important migratory bird habitats in 

North America. 

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2.4.2 Naco, Arizona 

2.4.2.1 Sensitive Populations 

Due to its proximity to the international border and its population concentration, the entire 

population of Naco, Arizona is vulnerable to a chemical incident from a fixed facility or 

transportation-related incident. 

The Naco School District has an elementary school, which serves grades kindergarten through 

eighth grade. The school is at full capacity, serving approximately 280 students. At this time, 

high school students attend school in the Bisbee School District. Other sensitive populations 

include local churches. See Appendix C for more information. 

2.4.2.2 Population Distribution 

Naco, Arizona is a predominately residential community with a few small businesses near the 

Port of Entry. 

2.4.2.3 Sensitive Natural Resource Areas 

The area east of Naco, Arizona, known as the Green Bush Draw, is designated as a green space 

on the Cochise County Land Use Plan. 

A major sensitive natural resource area is the San Pedro River. As mentioned, the San Pedro 

River enters the United States south of the Arizona community of Palominas. It flows north into 

Arizona through the city of Benson. On its northern border, the San Pedro River flows into the 

Gila River at Winkelman, Arizona. The San Pedro River is one of the most diverse desert 

riparian areas in the world. The river provides a thread of water and riparian habitat amid 

thousands of acres of desert. It is home to more than 500 species of plants, 100 species of 

butterflies, 20 species of bats, 80 species of mammals, 40 species of reptiles, and 350 species of 

birds. The river is a crucial stopping point for many species of migrating birds, making it an 

important migration and pollination pathway linking North, Central, and South America. 

Fifty-eight thousand acres around the San Pedro River were designated by the U.S. Congress as a 

National Conservation Area. This area serves as a principal recovery zone for many endangered 

species, including the jaguar, the Mexican gray wolf, the Mexican spotted owl, and the yellowbilled cuckoo, among others. 

The Upper San Pedro River Valley is home to the community of Sierra Vista and Fort Huachuca 

U.S. military base. It hosts a population of approximately 50,000. The Lower San Pedro River 

Valley is primarily a rural area. Farming, ranching, and mining are the principal economic 

activities. The San Pedro River is the principal water source and drainage system for these 

communities. Some agricultural areas divert water for irrigation directly from the river through 

groundwater pumping. Groundwater pumping has become the principal cause of river water 

depletion. Fort Huachuca and Sierra Vista have both established conservation efforts to reduce 

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22 October 4, 2002 
 

water use. The city of Sierra Vista has embarked on a sewage recharge project in an attempt to 

return water to the basin. 

2.5 Drinking Water Supplies and Wastewater Treatment 

As a part of a hazard analysis, the identification of drinking water supplies and wastewater 

treatment facilities is necessary. Available information is presented here. 

2.5.1 Naco, Sonora 

In the City of Naco, Sonora the water supply system is marginally able to cover the water 

demands for the 319 acres (1.3 sq. km.) of urban area. The City consumes roughly 300 acrefeet/yr of water from wells in Upper San Pedro Basin. The infrastructure includes a water supply 

source consisting of two wells that together produce 710,000 gallons per day (2,687,642 liters 

per day) and 2 storage tanks with a capacity of 26,420 gallons (100,011 liters) and 39,630 

gallons (150,016 liters). 

The current wastewater collection and treatment system covers up to 85% of the urban area, and 

includes a lift station and pressure line that sends part of the sewage to the "Westside" oxidation 

pond module. 

The wastewater treatment system consists of two sets of stabilization ponds with a total surface 

area of 15.8 acres (0.064 sq. km.). The "Eastside" module consists of 7 lagoons in series with a 

surface area of 9.2 acres (0.037 sq. km.), and the "Westside" module consists of 3 lagoons in 

series that have an area of about 6.57 acres (0.027 km.). A new wastewater treatment facility is 

being built with support from the North American Development Bank (NADBank). 

2.5.2 Naco, Arizona 

In Naco, Arizona the water is provided by the privately owned Arizona Water Company and via 

private wells. The Naco Water Company operates three wells and three ground level tanks in the 

plan area. The system is in disrepair and experiences occasional shutdowns. Efforts are 

underway to upgrade the system. 

Naco is served by the Naco Sanitary District, which operates a wastewater treatment plant that 

serves over 90% of the population in the plan area. The remaining population is served by 

individual septic systems. The current system has the capacity to accommodate Naco’s projected 

population growth over the next 15 years. 

2.6 Counter-terrorism 

The events of September 11, 2001 have altered the way that people view terrorism. Terrorist 

acts constitute a global threat, and can happen in any community at any time. In order to 

safeguard our freedoms, while guarding against terrorist activity, a cooperative international 

strategy must be developed. The need for such collaboration is especially important along the 

U.S./Mexico border. 

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The substantial flow of people and goods across the U.S./Mexico border is vital to the economies 

of both nations. However, such movement along the border area can also serve as a conduit for 

terrorist acts. Nuclear, chemical and biological weapons of mass destruction pose a real threat to 

which U.S. and Mexican authorities must be prepared to respond. 

The first line of defense in any terrorist attack is the "first responder" community – local police, 

firefighters, and emergency medical professionals. Properly trained and equipped first responders 

have the greatest potential to save lives and limit casualties after a terrorist attack. Currently, 

capabilities for responding to a terrorist attack vary widely across the U.S./Mexico border region. 

Strengthening the assets, training and communications capabilities of first responders along the 

border will contribute to the safety and well being of border communities. 

Cross border response and contingency plans serve as guidance for cross border planning and 

response to terrorist acts. The planning process provides an opportunity for U.S. and Mexican 

agencies to assess capabilities and develop appropriate communication, cooperation and 

response protocols. 

In addition to improving and coordinating their response capabilities, border communities need 

to conduct terrorist vulnerability and risk assessments of ports of entry, site security at public and 

private fixed facilities, highways and waterways to guide prevention and response efforts. 

The development of counter-terrorism strategies requires the participation of additional federal 

and state law enforcement and health authorities not normally involved in traditional contingency 

plans. A list of the appropriate authorities is included in the supplemental directory of Hazardous 

Material Planning and Emergency Response Contacts. 

2.6.1 U.S. Response 

A mission of the United States is to secure the homeland from terrorist attacks. This effort will 

involve new programs and significant reforms by the Federal government, as well as new or 

expanded efforts by State and local governments, private industry, non-governmental 

organizations, and citizens. 

In 1996, the Domestic Preparedness (DP) program was established to provide assistance to 

emergency responders in preparing for and responding to terrorist incidents involving nuclear, 

biological, and chemical (NBC) agents. One hundred and twenty train-the-trainer programs were 

held to provide direct instruction to emergency responders across the country. The DP program 

is conducted as a partnership among federal agencies. The Department of Defense (DoD) was 

the lead in the training element and is joined by others including the Environmental Protection 

Agency (EPA), Public Health Service (PHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), 

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Department of Energy (DOE). Training was 

developed to focus on the NBC “delta”, which is the difference between actions taken to respond 

to normal hazardous material incidents, and unique actions that are considered when responding 

to NBC incidents. Delta training remains available for emergency responders in Cochise 

County. 

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Between Naco, Sonora and Cochise County, Arizona 

24 October 4, 2002 
As designated by Public Law 104-201, the DP program oversight and execution transitioned to 

the Department of Justice (DOJ) on October 1, 2000. Additional information can be found by 

visiting the following website: http://hld.sbccom.army.mil/. 

The newly created Office of Homeland Security will develop and coordinate the implementation 

of a comprehensive national strategy to secure the United States from terrorist threats or attacks. 

Building on existing capabilities at the Federal, State, and local level in the United States, the 

“First Responder Initiative” provides an incentive to develop mutually supportive programs that 

maximize effective response capability. Through joint planning, clear communication, 

comprehensive coordination, mutual aid at all levels and increased information sharing, 

America’s first responders can be trained and equipped to save lives in the event of a terrorist 

attack. The benefits of building first responder capability are immediate and widespread – 

making people safer from terrorist attacks while also bolstering everyday response capabilities. 

2.6.2 Mexico Response 

Mexico is not immune from terrorist threats. The Mexican government has developed a 

countrywide protocol for responding to potential threats throughout the nation. A national task 

force on counter-terrorism has been formed, which includes, among others, the Attorney General 

(PGR), National Police, Airports and Auxiliary Services, Department of Health, Department of 

Agriculture and Civil Defense. State teams, headed by the Federal Preventive Police and fire 

department authorities, have been designated as the first responders to incidents involving 

weapons of mass destruction. 

2.7 Risk Reduction Opportunities and Recommendations 

Reducing risk to prevent a hazardous materials incident is a proactive approach to emergency 

planning. The Binational Emergency Planning Committee (BEPC) will look at a variety of 

mechanisms to reduce hazardous materials risks in the plan area. These include: 

$ Planning 

$ Identification and assessment of available resources 

$ Public and industry education and outreach 

$ Procurement and integration of equipment 

$ Building and fire codes 

$ Pollution prevention 

$ Traffic controls 

$ Hazard identification and risk analysis 

$ Training 

$ Exercises and drills 

$ Emergency response preparedness 

$ Compliance assurance/assistance 

$ Counter-terrorism measures 

Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

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October 4, 2002 25 
Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

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26 October 4, 2002 
3.0 EMERGENCY RESPONSE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

The adverse consequences of a chemical accident on the health, safety and welfare of the citizens 

of Cochise County, Arizona and Naco, Sonora may be reduced through timely and effective 

emergency response. This plan provides an integrated and coordinated binational response 

protocol to supplement the local emergency response plans in the event of a release of hazardous 

materials in the plan area. 

3.1 Notification 

Any release or substantial threat of a release of a hazardous material affecting or likely to affect 

another party shall be reported to that party without delay. The emergency notification list is 

found on page 5. 

3.2 Private Response Mechanisms 

Owners or operators of fixed facilities and transportation facilities, including truck lines, rail 

lines and pipelines, must comply with all local, state, and federal hazardous material planning 

and reporting requirements. An inventory of private emergency response resources should be 

conducted and included in this plan. 

3.3 Local Response 

3.3.1 City of Naco, Sonora Mutual Aid Request 

In Naco, Sonora, the Director of Civil Protection will assume the lead role as Incident 

Commander (IC). If the Incident Commander feels that the incident will exhaust the resources 

available, or that the incident might impact the border, a request for binational response will be 

made to the Cochise County Sheriff's Department Dispatch Center. 

Upon receipt of this mutual aid request, the Sheriff’s Department Dispatch Center will call the 

Cochise County Emergency Services Coordinator and dispatch a Deputy to the Naco, Arizona 

area to meet with Mexican authorities and evaluate the situation. Based on the Deputy's 

assessment, the Emergency Services Coordinator will notify the National Response Center 

(NRC) of the incident, determine whether State assets (State On-Scene Coordinator, Air 

Monitoring Unit, etc.) are required, and notify other agencies or organizations as needed. If 

needed, a County Coordinating Center will be established. Responding resources will report to 

the location(s) designated by the Emergency Services Coordinator. The County On-Scene 

Representative will designate a representative for the Joint Incident Command established by the 

Director of Civil Protection in Naco, Sonora. The Incident Commander is also responsible for 

ensuring that response personnel from the United States are utilized in an effective and safe 

manner by coordinating with the senior on-scene response official from each responding agency. 

If the incident is beyond the capabilities of both communities, the Director of Civil Protection in 

Naco, Sonora will request the Director of Civil Protection, State of Sonora, to initiate a federal 

and/or Joint Response Team response. 

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October 4, 2002 27 
In accordance with Naco Fire District Resolution 02-02 adopted on February 21, 2002, the Naco 

Fire District is unable to respond to a hazardous materials incident in the U.S. or Mexico, and 

does not wish to be included in this binational emergency response plan or contacted to respond 

to an incident involving hazardous materials. 

3.3.2 Cochise County, Arizona Mutual Aid Request 

Fire departments located in Cochise County within the vicinity of Naco, Arizona and Naco, 

Sonora have agreed to participate as first responders should there be an incident at the border. 

These emergency responders have submitted letters of support outlining the concerns they will 

need to have addressed should they be called to respond. Appropriate funding from the County’s 

Bioterrorism Grant will be used to provide equipment and education to assist the fire 

departments in their response. 

In Cochise County, Fry Fire District will assume the lead role as Incident Commander (IC). If 

the incident is beyond the control and/or capabilities of Cochise County resources, or the 

incident might affect the border with Mexico, the Incident Commander will request a binational 

response from the Director of Civil Protection in Naco, Sonora. Both entities will notify their 

respective reporting authorities. 

Upon receipt of this mutual aid request, the Director of Civil Protection of Naco, Sonora may 

respond by providing necessary action, information and/or assistance resources if possible. The 

scope of mutual aid will be determined by a Joint Incident Command established between 

Cochise County, Arizona and the Director of Civil Protection in Naco, Sonora. The responding 

resources will report to the Incident Commander and work under the Incident Commander's 

direction. The Incident Commander is also responsible for ensuring that response personnel from 

Naco, Sonora are utilized in an effective and safe manner by coordinating with the senior 

on- scene response official from each responding agency. 

If the incident is beyond the capabilities of both communities, Cochise County will contact the 

State of Arizona to request assistance and/or initiate federal and/or Joint Response Team 

response. 

3.3.3 Local Response Duties 

Local agencies are responsible for emergency planning and preparedness within their 

jurisdictions. Local agencies will conduct response activities within the scope of their 

department training and capabilities. Local agencies will provide emergency response services 

when possible, including, but not limited to: 

$ Notification
 

$ Initial hazard identification 

$ Initial sampling to identify and determine concentrations of materials 

$ Communications 

$ Rescue and emergency medical service 

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$ Fire fighting 

$ Security (site perimeter, traffic, and crowd control) 

$ On-Scene liaison with other agencies and organizations 

$ Providing public information 

$ Evacuation and shelter-in-place / public sheltering 

Local government emergency response responsibilities in Naco, Arizona are generally divided 

among the Naco Fire District, the City of Bisbee Fire Department, the Cochise County Sheriff's 

Department, the Cochise County Health Department and Cochise County Emergency Services. 

Detailed roles and responsibilities of these agencies can be found in applicable organizational 

documents. 

When responding to requests for mutual aid, local response agencies from both sides of the 

border will adhere to their department's standard operating protocols. At no time should 

personnel from any jurisdiction be requested to perform duties outside their training and 

capabilities. Incident Commanders of both countries are familiar with the capabilities of the 

agencies available for response, and will use the personnel from the agencies in an appropriate 

manner. If concerns arise, Cochise County and Civil Protection Joint Incident Command will be 

notified and an appropriate decision will be made at that level. 

3.4 State Response 

The State of Arizona can provide assistance for hazardous materials incidents to Naco, Arizona 

and Naco, Sonora if the responsible party and local capabilities or resources prove to be 

insufficient, incapable or inadequate. The Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) is the 

primary state agency for criminal and transportation-related incidents in Arizona. The Arizona 

Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is the primary state agency for non-transportation 

related incidents and would be the scientific advisor and technical assistant for transportation 

related incidents having environmental consequences. The primary agency will appoint a State 

On-Scene Coordinator (SOSC) who will assist the Incident Commander by providing and 

overseeing needed State resources, as available. The Arizona Division of Emergency 

Management (ADEM) manages the state Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and can assist in 

providing necessary resources for an incident. 

In Sonora, Civil Protection in Naco notifies Civil Protection at the State of Sonora level when an 

incident occurs. As necessary, Civil Protection at the state level will respond with appropriate 

resources. 

3.5 Federal Response 

The U.S. Federal government can provide assistance for hazardous materials incidents if 

combined local and state capabilities or resources prove insufficient, incapable or inadequate. 

Once the National Response Center (NRC) has been notified of a release, they alert the Federal 

Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

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October 4, 2002 29 
On-Scene Coordinator (FOSC), who may activate the Regional Response Team (RRT) or the 

National Response Team (NRT), depending on the severity of the incident. For incidents 

occurring in the Naco, Arizona area, the Federal On-Scene Coordinator will be from the U.S. 

EPA Region IX, headquartered in San Francisco, California. 

Normally, the U.S. EPA contributes to the response by working with the local, state, tribal and 

federal agencies and citizens to assure that the information needed to maximize the effectiveness 

of the response effort is easily accessible. If there is a spill where the responsible party is not 

identified, or does not contain, and clean up the material, or adequately respond, the federal 

responsibilities will prevail as outlined in the National Contingency Plan. These responsibilities 

include assisting state and local responders or, in some circumstances, taking over the response. 

Federal agreements between the U.S. and Mexico require that each country notify the other if 

there is a release or substantial threat of a hazardous materials release which may impact the 

other side of the border. The notification should occur between local authorities and between 

state authorities on both sides of the border to ensure that the information is properly elevated to 

the federal levels as required. 

If it appears that the incident may exceed the capabilities of the local and state resources, the 

Federal On-Scene Coordinator will request the Joint Response Team to implement the Joint 

Contingency Plan. 

The Mexican Federal Government can provide assistance through the National Civil Protection 

System for hazardous materials incidents to Naco, Sonora, if the combined responsible party and 

local capabilities or resources prove to be insufficient or inadequate. Civil Protection will 

appoint an On-Scene Coordinator (OSC) who will assist the Incident Commander by providing, 

coordinating, and overseeing needed federal resources. 

3.5.1 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

The U.S. EPA activates and operates the federal response system for inland hazardous materials 

incidents and provides a Federal On-Scene Coordinator who can provide technical resources and 

expert advice on public health and environmental effects of a release. U.S. EPA also provides 

planning and preparedness assistance to prevent and mitigate environmental harm. 

The U.S. EPA Regional Response Team performs regional level contingency planning. National 

level contingency planning is performed through the National Response Team (NRT). The 

Regional Response Team (RRT) is co-chaired by the U.S. EPA and the U.S. Coast Guard 

(USCG) and consists of representatives from selected state and federal agencies. It plans, 

prepares and responds to hazardous materials incidents, providing advice and recommendations 

to the Federal On-Scene Coordinator. 

The U.S. EPA's Emergency Response Program has responsibilities pursuant to the National 

Contingency Plan to respond to incidents involving hazardous materials and petroleum products. 

The Program also conducts response operations during national disasters, under the authority of 

the Federal Response Plan. EPA provides support to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) 

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30 October 4, 2002 
for Crisis Management, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Consequence 

Management during terrorist events, under the direction of Presidential Decision Documents. 

These activities are carried out through the National Response System (NRS), which is the 

Federal mechanism for responding to releases or incidents. The NRS is a multi-agency/multilevel system and has been in existence for 30 years. It was designed to support state and local 

responses. A number of assets are available through the NRS including Regional Response 

Teams, Federal On-Scene Coordinators, contractor support and special forces. The Regional 

Response Team brings together the resources from 16 Federal agencies and the states to support 

response activities. The Federal On-Scene Coordinator provides coordination and manages 

Federal response resources through the incident command/unified command system. The FOSC 

can bring a number of special forces to play during a response that include the EPA's 

Environmental Response Team, EPA's Radiological Environmental Response Team, and the 

U.S. Coast Guard's National Strike Force. These resources provide specialized technical 

expertise and resources for a response. EPA's response assets can be accessed through the 

National Response Center (NRC) at 1-800-424-8802. 

3.5.2 Civil Protection 

The National System of Civil Protection has established, in each federal and municipal entity, 

civil protection organizations to handle emergencies occurring in each jurisdiction. Civil 

Protection has prepared the "ANEXO III - Plan de Respuesta a Emergencias con Materiales 

Peligrosos" (Annex III - Hazardous Materials Response Plan). This plan is designed to be used 

by all entities in Mexico to aid in developing contingency plans for hazardous materials 

incidents. 

3.6 Joint Response Team 

When the magnitude of an incident exceeds local and state response capabilities, or when a 

response involves more than one state jurisdiction, or federal lands, the federal government will 

coordinate the response operation and provide assistance as necessary. The U.S. EPA co-chairs 

the Joint Response Team for the U.S. and PROFEPA co-chairs for Mexico. 

When the U.S. and Mexico have agreed to initiate a joint response to an incident, the functions 

and responsibilities of the Joint Response Team include: 

$ Advise the Federal On-Scene Coordinator about measures needed to respond to 

the incident and the resources that are available to carry out those measures 

$ Evaluate and make recommendations concerning the measures taken by the 

Federal On-Scene Coordinator 

$ Provide continuing advice to the Federal On-Scene Coordinator 

$ Coordinate and use as appropriate the resources that agencies or persons of the 

U.S. or Mexico or a third party can contribute 

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October 4, 2002 31 
$ Assist the Federal On-Scene Coordinator in preparing information releases for the 

public 

$ Participate in the termination of response 

In a non-emergency mode, the JRT coordinates U.S.-Mexico border area contingency planning 

and training activities. 

For inland releases, the U.S. EPA provides the Federal On-Scene Coordinator. Upon notification 

of a release of hazardous substances that is crossing or is likely to cross the U.S.-Mexico border, 

the National Response Center will notify the Federal On-Scene Coordinator. The Federal OnScene Coordinator will determine as quickly as possible the need for activating the Regional 

Response Team, the Joint Response Team, the Environmental Response Team (ERT), or the 

National Response Team. For incident notification in Mexico, Civil Protection maintains a 24­

hour telephone number in Mexico City. For incident notification in the U.S., the NRC maintains 

a 24-hour number in Washington D.C. 

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32 October 4, 2002 
4.0 INCIDENT RESPONSE OPERATIONS AND RESOURCES 

This plan employs the phases of operational response to an incident as outlined in the Joint 

Contingency Plan. 

4.1 Discovery and Notification 

Upon the discovery of a hazardous materials release or threatened release in the Naco, Arizona 

area, a notification is made to the appropriate emergency organization. The initial notification 

will involve calling 9-1-1 to notify the Cochise County Sheriff's Department Dispatch Center. 

The agency receiving the initial contact will follow the Cochise County standard operating 

protocol for the notification of all other appropriate agencies. The responsible party (RP) is also 

required to notify appropriate federal and state agencies by contacting the National Response 

Center and other state and local agencies depending on the substance released. These agencies 

will also notify appropriate local, state, and federal agencies. 

For Naco, Sonora, the responsible party is required to call 0-6-0, Civil Protection and the Fire 

Department. 

Binational agreements between the Governments of the United States and Mexico require that 

the countries notify each other in the event of a release or substantial threat of a release of a 

hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant affecting or likely to affect the other country 

(Joint Contingency Plan Sections 105.3 and 301). 

4.2 Preliminary Assessment and Initiation of Action 

Inspections must be done on emergency vehicles when crossing the Border into either country. 

To facilitate this, an updated inventory of equipment should be available on equipment crossing 

either side of the border. 

The first official on the scene will assume the role of Incident Commander. This duty will be 

relinquished to the appropriate official upon that person's arrival at the incident. All response 

agencies will report as previously indicated. Each agency will provide its own special equipment 

and reference data, and will function within its field of expertise. If an incident exceeds the 

resources of the local or county agencies, command may be transferred to the more appropriate 

responding agency. This function may also be transferred to the Federal On-Scene Coordinator, 

if a federal or JRT response is activated. 

4.2.1 Preliminary Assessment 

Upon confirmation that an incident may affect the other side of the border or may involve the 

release of hazardous materials, the first On-Scene Deputy Sheriff from Cochise County or the 

Director of Civil Protection for Naco, Sonora will assume the role of Incident Commander. 

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4.2.2 Initiation of Action 

Upon arrival at the scene, the Incident Commander will take the following actions: 

$	 Implement the Incident Command System (ICS) 

$	 Ensure that the appropriate notifications are made to the Joint Response Team, and if 

mutual aid will be required, ensure that the proper notifications are made to 

implement a binational response. 

4.3 Containment 

The Incident Commander will implement appropriate measures to contain, restrict, reduce or 

eliminate the release or threat of release of hazardous materials at the incident, as well as 

downstream or downwind from the site. This includes defensive action to prevent, minimize, or 

mitigate an incident to protect public health and the environment. 

4.4 Documentation and Cost Recovery 

All actions taken during hazardous materials incidents will be carefully documented so that 

sufficient and accurate information is available to support response and recovery operations and 

to recover costs, if applicable. Documentation should be self-descriptive to prove the source and 

circumstances of the incident, identity of the responsible parties, and impact or potential impact 

to public health and the environment. Documentation may be written, graphic, audiovisual, or in 

other form and will include the location of the incident, time, date and duration of the spill, 

source and cause of the incident, name and contact information of the responsible parties, 

description of the released material, resources affected or threatened, status of response and 

cleanup efforts, and accurate accounting of public costs incurred. A notification form is 

provided for this purpose on page 7. 

Examples of other forms of documentation of hazardous materials incidents include: 

$ Daily or personal logs in bound notebooks, to record all relevant response activities 

for evidentiary purposes 

$ Photographic documentation at the source of the release, pathway of discharge, and 

affected biota 

$ Samples of released material and material from the suspected source collected 

according to established chain of custody procedures 

$ A statement of witnesses identifying the source of a release 

4.5 Evacuation or Shelter-In-Place 

It is the responsibility of the Incident Commander to assess the hazardous materials release or 

potential release. If there is a threat to the public, immediate action needs to be taken for their 

protection. Actions which protect the public include first aid, designation of an exclusion zone, 

shelter-in-place, fire suppression and evacuation. 

Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

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34 October 4, 2002 
If evacuation is necessary, the Incident Commander will determine the area that will require 

evacuation. The Incident Commander is also responsible for estimating the number of people in 

the evacuation area and number of people needing transportation assistance. The Incident 

Commander will follow all the appropriate standard operating protocols outlined in local plans. 

The Incident Commander will coordinate with law enforcement to identify major evacuation 

routes and establish traffic control points. Law enforcement will establish evacuation assembly 

points, monitor traffic flow on evacuation routes and establish security patrols and access control 

procedures. In a toxic environment, agencies with more appropriate protective clothing and 

equipment may be called upon to perform these tasks. 

If the incident is of sufficient magnitude that the potential for a cross border evacuation exists, 

the Incident Commander will work closely with the appropriate border agencies such as 

Immigration and Customs authorities. 

4.6 Post-Incident Management 

The Incident Commander, or a designated replacement, is required to remain on-scene until the 

immediate danger to public health and the environment has been abated. Primary responsibility 

for the actual cleanup and restoration costs will remain with the responsible parties. In the event 

that the responsible parties are unknown, cleanup is the responsibility of the parcel manager, the 

lessee, the landowner, the affected jurisdiction, the county agency, the state agency, or the 

federal agency having jurisdiction. 

Cleanup and disposal of the spill should be accomplished as soon as possible. Prompt action is 

important to minimize damage to the environment. The first step is to establish the cleanup 

priorities at the site. Once the priorities are set, determination of appropriate cleanup methods is 

necessary. The cleanup actions must be constantly monitored to ensure the cleanup priorities are 

being properly addressed. 

Evaluation of the cleanup to determine its effectiveness is necessary. The evaluation process 

should assess impacts on the habitat and organisms, effectiveness of removal, public concerns, 

aesthetics, and costs. The Incident Commander must develop criteria to determine when the 

cleanup is complete, using applicable or relevant and appropriate requirements. The Incident 

Commander will ensure proper transportation and disposal of hazardous substances in 

compliance with local, state and federal laws. 

4.7 Response and Cleanup Funding Availability 

The Incident Commander will attempt to identify the party accountable for the release, and have 

that party assume responsibility for containment, removal and disposal. In Mexico, this will be 

the responsibility of the Civil Protection authorities in accordance with the National Protection 

System. 

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October 4, 2002 35 
 

If it is determined that the responsible parties are not acting promptly, or not taking or proposing 

to take appropriate actions, or if the responsible parties are unknown, state and federal funds may 

be made available to ensure proper cleanup. 

The State On-Scene Coordinator or the Federal On-Scene Coordinator may make funds 

available. Depending on the circumstances, money may be made available from one or more of 

the following funds. 

4.7.1 State Funds 

The State of Arizona and the State Water Quality Assurance Revolving Fund (WQARF) 

maintain funds that may be used for the response to hazardous materials incidents. These funds 

are available on a case-by-case basis, generally for incidents for which a responsible party has 

not been identified, or when there is an immediate threat to life and health in Arizona. 

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality also administers a fund to reimburse local 

government or political subdivisions for hazardous materials responses. 

The Arizona Division of Emergency Management (ADEM) administers the Governor’s 

Emergency Response fund and may also be able to provide resources for cost recovery. 

The Arizona State Land Department may provide support for fire events with concurrence from 

the Arizona Division of Emergency Management and/or the Governor’s office. 

4.7.2 Federal Funds 

The U.S. EPA administers the Hazardous Substance Response Trust Fund (Section 1.2.1 above, 

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act) and the Local 

Government Reimbursement Program. 

As part of the Oil Pollution Act (OPA) of 1990, states are given access to federal funds for the 

immediate removal, mitigation, or prevention of a discharge, and may be reimbursed by the trust 

fund for removal and monitoring costs incurred during oil spill response and cleanup efforts, 

which are consistent with the National Contingency Plan (NCP). 

In Mexico, if the responsible party for the release is not located or does not pay, a remediation 

program is administered by the Office of the Federal Attorney General for Environmental 

Protection (PROFEPA). 

4.7.3 Financial Reimbursement 

Participating agencies, governmental bodies, and organizations are advised that neither Cochise 

County nor the City of Naco, Sonora will be financially responsible for reimbursing any costs or 

expenses incurred by any participant, in the absence of an express agreement approved by the 

governing body of the County or the City. In undertaking this cooperative effort, neither the 

County nor the City are assuming any legal responsibility for the actions taken by the various 

Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

Between Naco, Sonora and Cochise County, Arizona 

36 October 4, 2002 
other participants or for any costs or liabilities that may be incurred by them. Each such 

participant shall be responsible for its own costs and expenses incurred, unless reimbursement is 

available through an existing state or federal program, or a prior agreement for such payment has 

been formally approved. 

4.8 Communications 

Communications will be established pursuant to the local municipal standard operating 

protocols. In the event of a binational response, communications must be effectively established 

as soon as possible. 

To expedite communications between incident commanders, there should be a communications 

liaison officer assigned to the neighboring country (preferably bilingual). 

Some binational communication channels are already in place. For example, Cochise County 

Health Department (CCHD) and Naco Sonora Health Department (NSHD) participate in an 

emergency electronic communications call-down system that would notify the designated first 

responders should there be an emergency on either side of the border in Naco, Sonora or Cochise 

County. See Appendix L for the Cross-Border Critical Incident Response Team. 

Cross border public health surveillance and detection for rapid reporting of a public health 

emergency or terrorist event are in place. A system to receive and evaluate urgent disease 

reports occurring in the surveillance area operates on a 24 hour, 7 days per week basis. 

Due to the numerous radio frequencies used by the various response agencies in the plan area, 

the Incident Commander must define a primary operations channel. The supplemental directory 

of Hazardous Material Planning and Emergency Response Contacts provides a listing of the 

various phone numbers available. Communications between the Naco, Sonora command and 

Cochise County command must be established and maintained throughout a binational response. 

This will ensure a reliable flow of information between the two commands. 

4.9 Health and Safety 

The Incident Commander will be responsible for appointing a Site Safety Officer (SSO) for the 

incident. The Incident Commander and Site Safety Officer will be responsible for developing 

and implementing a Site Safety Plan to ensure the health and safety of all response personnel. 

For response across the border, the Incident Commander and senior official of each response 

agency will ensure that the appropriate state and federal worker health and safety laws of their 

country are observed while in the neighboring country. 

The Cochise County Health Department (CCHD) has a bioterrorism response coordinator, an 

epidemiologist and an emergency response team that can be activated on a 24 hour, 7 days per 

week basis. CCHD has a designated risk communication and health information dissemination 

coordinator whose responsibility it is to provide needed health and risk information to the public 

and key partners during an emergency or terrorist event. The County has a plan for risk 

communication and information dissemination to educate the public regarding exposure risks 

Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

Between Naco, Sonora and Cochise County, Arizona 

October 4, 2002 37 
 

and effective public response. Risk communication includes a public information officer to 

ensure seamless public health emergency information delivery between border communities. 

CCHD and NSHD share a system to provide ongoing disease surveillance and epidemiology 

training for public health, clinical, and other healthcare professionals and to develop subject 

matter expertise within the public health system. 

CCHD and NSHD participate in the ongoing cross-border education for healthcare providers and 

emergency response personnel with special emphasis on healthcare emergency department 

personnel, infectious disease specialists, public health and private professionals, and a universal 

mass patient triage system. Cross-border education covers participation in mass casualty 

scenarios including those related to acts of terrorism. These scenarios are integrated with and 

support plans of other local agencies, including, police, fire, public works, mortuary, flight 

operations, staging, HAZMAT, animal surveillance systems and the animal health community, 

using incident command system/unified command system. 

CCHD and NSHD have access to the National Pharmaceutical Stockpile. If the Stockpile were 

deployed, a plan exists to manage mass distribution of antibiotics, vaccines, and other medical 

materials. 

The sister communities and surrounding areas will contain strategically placed Mobile Army 

Surgical Hospital (M.A.S.H.) tents to be used as acute care expansion medical facilities. These 

units will be staffed with medical personnel trained in mass casualty incidents, including mental 

health, crisis management, security and mass fatality management. Environmental assurance 

will be managed through federal and state agencies deployed during an event. Decontamination 

and quarantine will be accomplished through collaboration with other first responder agencies. 

4.10 Response Resources 

Cochise County Government provides incident coordination, law enforcement, health services 

management, heavy equipment, communications, and public information. 

Emergency medical service (EMS) is provided by the City of Bisbee Fire Department, and the 

nearest hospital is located in Bisbee, Arizona. The Fry Fire District provides hazardous materials 

response, under an agreement with Cochise County Government. 

Law enforcement in the plan area is provided by the Cochise County Sheriff’s Department. 

In Naco, Sonora, the City Fire Department is prepared to respond to fires and medical 

emergencies. The Halcones Auxiliary, composed of volunteers, can respond to rescue and 

hazardous materials calls. 

A list of response resources is maintained by the Cochise County Emergency Services 

Coordinator. Response resources for the plan area can be found in Appendix G. 

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38 October 4, 2002 
5.0 TRAINING AND EXERCISES 

Each of the operational plans referenced requires training and exercising to ensure that 

responders are always in a state of readiness. Joint training and exercising are important to 

emphasize as binational relationships and activities develop. 

Preparing a written plan with well-defined operational roles, policies and resource acquisition 

procedures is an essential step. The written plan should contain training requirements and 

procedures for responders. Exercising the plan provides training, allows response personnel to 

become thoroughly familiar with response procedures, resources and systems, and enables 

planners to identify areas of the plan that need improvement. 

5.1 Training 

Individual organizations are responsible for their own training. Internal training, private 

contractors, and state or regional training resources are some of the binational options available 

to local agencies. Organizations must ensure that personnel are adequately trained for response 

operations that they may conduct. This training must comply with all applicable local, state, and 

federal worker health and safety regulations. 

5.2 Exercises 

Local and regional hazardous materials contingency plan exercises are encouraged, as they are 

the best means of keeping the plans current and active. Naco, Sonora and Cochise County, 

Arizona should routinely conduct joint exercises that allow for cross training of personnel. This 

will ensure that deficiencies in response activities are identified. To keep this plan current, the 

plan will be exercised annually. 

Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

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October 4, 2002 39 
APPENDIX A 

BUSINESSES USING, HANDLING OR STORING HAZARDOUS MATERIALS - 

 NACO, ARIZONA 

Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

Between Naco, Sonora and Cochise County, Arizona 

October 4, 2002 
Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

Between Naco, Sonora and Cochise County, Arizona 

October 4, 2002 
APPENDIX A 

BUSINESSES USING, HANDLING OR STORING HAZARDOUS MATERIALS - NACO, AR

Facility Address Phone Contact Industry Hazardous Material 

A

Da

g

Naco Pumping Plant, Arizona Water Company 

3508 Wilson Rd. Naco, Arizona 85620 

(520) 432-5321 Dennis Teller 

Water 

Pumping 

Plant 

chlorine 

Source: The Naco Pumping Plant, Arizona Water Company 

Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan Between Naco, Sonora and Cochise County, Arizona October 4, 2002 
Binational Pr

Between Nac

A - 2 
APPENDIX B 

MAQUILADORA AND FACILITY DIRECTORY – NACO, SONORA 

Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

Between Naco, Sonora and Cochise County, Arizona 

October 4, 2002 
Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

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October 4, 2002 
APPENDIX B 

DIRECTORY OF MAQUILADORAS IN NACO, SONORA 

Facility Address Phone Contact Industry Hazardous Material 

A

Da

g

R K Electrónica Juárez y Lerdo (633) 334-0090 Electronics 

Thinner Alcohol Acids Epoxy Paint Shypley Tin Industrial Cement 

Industrias Misión de San José 

Arvizu # 1005 

between Romo Mitre & Jesús García 

----------

Furniture 

Thinner Turpentine Wood paint 

Source: City of Naco, Sonora Maquiladora Directory 

Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan Between Naco, Sonora and Cochise County, Arizona October 4, 2002 
Binational Pr

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B - 2 
 

APPENDIX C 

SENSITIVE POPULATIONS AND VULNERABLE AREAS 

Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

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October 4, 2002 
Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

Between Naco, Sonora and Cochise County, Arizona 

October 4, 2002 
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

 

 

 

 

APPENDIX C 

SENSITIVE POPULATIONS AND VULNERABLE AREAS 

A. NACO, ARIZONA 

FACILITY ADDRESS CONTACT PHONE 

SCHOOLS 

Naco Elementary School 1911 W. Valenzuela Mrs. Ward (520) 432-5060 

RELIGIOUS CENTERS 

Bisbee Congregation 1918 Naco Highway (520) 432-3817 

Naco Baptist Mission 1991 W. Dominguez (520) 432-1600 

St. Michael Catholic Parish 2090 S. Hillman Ave. (520) 432-3768 

R.V. PARKS 

Turquoise Valley Golf & RV Park 1794 W. Newell St. (520) 432-3091 

OTHER 

San Pedro River, National 

Conservation Area 

1763 Paseo San Luis 

Sierra Vista, Arizona 

Friends of the San 

Pedro River 

(520) 459-2555 

B. NACO, SONORA 

FACILITY ADDRESS CONTACT PHONE 

SCHOOLS 

Jardín de Niños Josefina R. de 

Huerta 

Av. Fco. I. Madero y Calle 

Cananea, esquina 

Profra. Luz Elena 

Luna Ornelas 

(633) 334-00-04 

Jardín de Niños Nueva Creación Calle Ramón Morales Profra. María 

Ortencia Ochoa 

Primaria General Ignacio Zaragoza Av. Fco. I. Madero entre 

Calle Obregón y Plutarco 

Elias Calles 

Profr. Mario Moreno 

Castillo 

(633) 334-01-87 

Primaria Nueva Creación Calle Ramón Morales e 

Ignacio Ramírez 

Profr. Jesús María 

Ruiz Vega 

(633) 334-08-84 

Escuela Secundaria Técnica #29 Av. Fco. I. Madero Profr. Arnoldo 

Navarro Ramos 

(633) 334-01-93 

Escuela Preparatoria de Naco Calle Dr. Romo Mitre Profr. Patricio Gamez 

Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

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October 4, 2002 

C-1 
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

 

 

 

 

APPENDIX C 

SENSITIVE POPULATIONS AND VULNERABLE AREAS 

B. NACO, SONORA 

FACILITY ADDRESS CONTACT PHONE 

PARKS 

Gimnasio Municipal Carretera a Cananea C. Ramiro Morales 

Villaverde 

(633) 334-01-07 

Auditorio Municipal Av. Fco. I. Madero entre 

Calles Obregón y Plutarco 

Elias Calles 

C. José Humberto 

Amaya R. 

(633) 334-01-28 

Estadio Municipal de Beisbol Calle Dr. Romo Mitre C. Ramiro Morales 

Villaverde 

(633) 334-01-07 

Estadio Municipal de Beisbol 

Infantil 

Calle Dr. Romo Mitre C. Ramiro Morales 

Villaverde 

(633) 334-01-07 

RELIGIOUS CENTERS 

Centro Familiar Cristiano Av. Justo Sierra y Calle 

Cananea 

Iglesia Bautista los Olivos Calle Cruz Galvez y Ave. 

Libertad 

Iglesia de Cristo Calle García Morales y 

Ave. Lerdo 

Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos 

de los Ultimos Días 

Calle 5 de Mayo entre Av. 

Justo Sierra y Emiliano 

Zapata 

Iglesia Evangélica Pentecostes Av. Emiliano Zapata #800 

Iglesia Guadalupana Av. Fco. I. Madero entre 

Calles Arvizu y Plutarco 

Elias Calles 

Prbro. Jesús García 

Arámbula (633) 334-01-21 

Iglesia Siloe Av. Guillermo Yates #900 

Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

Between Naco, Arizona and Cochise County, Arizona C - 2 October 4, 2002 
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

APPENDIX C 

SENSITIVE POPULATIONS AND VULNERABLE AREAS 

B. NACO, SONORA 

FACILITY ADDRESS CONTACT PHONE 

RELIGIOUS CENTERS CONT. 

Iglesia Siloe Av. Venustiano Carranza 

#725 

Parroquia Hermosillo Calle Guillermo Yates y 

Av. Justo Sierra 

Parroquia San José Calle Juárez esq. con Av. 

Independencia 

Prbro. Jesús García 

Arámbula 

(633) 334-01-21 

Salón del Reino de los Testigos de 

Jehova 

Av. Justo Sierra y Calle 

Internacional 

C. Mario Nuñez 

Zarate 

(633) 334-05-79 

Templo Manantial Calle 16 de Septiembre 

#1010 

Templo Siloe Calle Cruz Galvez y 

Av. Lerdo 

SOCIAL HALLS 

Club 20-30 Calle Juárez Sr. Ramiro Montaño 

Fimbres 

(633) 334-01-10 

Club de Leones Calle Obregón entre Aves. 

Independencia y Fco. I. 

Madero 

Sr. Ismael González 

Miranda 

(633) 334-00-59 

Castillo de la Diversión Calle 20 de Noviembre y 

Av. Justo Sierra 

C. Concepción 

Olivares 

Salón de Baile REX Calle Cruz Galvez Sr. Manuel Bravo 

Solórzano 

(633) 334-01-53 

Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

Between Naco, Sonora and Cochise County, Arizona 

October 4, 2002 C-3 
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

 

Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

Between Naco, Arizona and Cochise County, Arizona C - 4 October 4, 2002 
APPENDIX D 

U.S. CUSTOMS SERVICE 

PROCEDURES FOR CROSS BORDER EMERGENCY RESPONSE
 

Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

Between Naco, Sonora and Cochise County, Arizona 

October 4, 2002 
Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

Between Naco, Sonora and Cochise County, Arizona 

October 4, 2002 
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Customs Service 

Memorandum 

DATE: June 25, 2002 

TO: Naco Port of Entry Personnel 

FROM: Port Director 

SUBJECT: Inspection Procedures for Returning Emergency Response 

Equipment and Personnel 

The Naco Port of Entry is a participant in the Binational Prevention and 

Emergency Response Plan between the cities of Naco, Arizona and Naco, 

Sonora. As part of this plan, the following procedures have been established 

and will be utilized by all inspectional personnel when processing the return of 

any emergency response equipment and personnel to the United States from 

Mexico. 

Upon returning to the United States after having departed to provide assistance 

in Mexico, ALL emergency response equipment and personnel will make entry 

through the commercial lane and report to the Naco Cargo facility during regular 

business hours (9 A.M. to 5 P.M. Monday through Friday). 

On weekends, after normal business hours or those holidays when the Cargo 

facility is not open, ALL emergency response equipment and personnel will be 

processed through the Vehicle passenger processing lane at the Naco Port of 

Entry. 

ONLY EMERGENCY RESPONSE EQUIPMENT AND PERSONNEL THAT 

DEPARTED THE UNITED STATES WILL BE ALLOWED TO RETURN TO THE 

UNITED STATES. 

Any other equipment or articles acquired in Mexico will require a binding 

Customs declaration and appropriate entry. 

Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

Between Naco, Sonora and Cochise County, Arizona 

October 4, 2002 D-1 
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Following an emergency response to an incident involving hazardous material, 

it will be the responsibility of the emergency response 

team/supervisor/members to: 

a. Contact the U.S. Customs Naco Port of Entry duty supervisor with a 

Notification of their intent to return to the United States and an estimated 

time of arrival. The duty supervisor will also be provided with any other 

critical information that may require evaluation for a determination of the 

proper entry point at the Port of Entry. 

b. The Emergency Response Team Supervisor will insure that PRIOR to 

returning to the United States, ALL VEHICLES, EQUIPMENT AND 

PERSONNEL HAVE BEEN PROPERLY DECONTAMINATED. 

c. ANY contaminated equipment or articles being returned to the United States 

 for disposal will be treated as HAZARDOUS MATERIAL for U.S. Customs 

entry purposes. This requires that the HAZARDOUS MATERIAL be shipped 

 properly and presented for entry as required by appropriate laws, regulations 

and policies. 

c. The U.S. Customs duty supervisor will immediately communicate this 

information to the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization duty supervisor for 

agency coordination, as well as to the U.S. Customs Port Director. 

U.S. Customs at the Naco Port of Entry has two officers who are trained First 

Responder Hazardous Materials Coordinators. These officers are Customs 

Inspector Adrian Long and Senior Inspector James Bunting. Any questions 

regarding the above procedures may be directed to either of these officers or 

the U.S. Customs duty supervisor at (520) 432-5349. 

Norma M. Stemple 

Port Director 

Naco, Arizona 

Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan

Between Naco, Arizona and Cochise County, Arizona 2

D-2 October 4, 2002 
APPENDIX E 

U.S. IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION SERVICE 

PROCEDURES FOR CROSS BORDER EMERGENCY RESPONSE
 

Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

Between Naco, Sonora and Cochise County, Arizona 

October 4, 2002 
Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

Between Naco, Sonora and Cochise County, Arizona 

October 4, 2002 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Department of Justice 

Immigration and Naturalization Service 

Douglas Port of Entry 

1 Pan American Avenue 

Douglas, Arizona 85608 

April 17, 2002 

MEMORANDUM FOR Lauren Volpini 

 U.S./Mexico Program Manager 

 Environmental Protection Agency 

FROM: Charles Stemple 

 Area Port Director 

Douglas, Arizona Port of Entry 

SUBJECT: Chemical Emergency Preparedness Naco Port of Entry 

The United States Immigration and Naturalization Service, Phoenix District, Naco Port of Entry 

is proud to participate in the planning of the Bi-National Prevention and Emergency Response 

Plan 2002 between the cities of Naco, Arizona and Naco, Sonora, Mexico. 

 The following procedures are suggested to facilitate the emergency entry of qualified emergency 

personnel from Mexico to the United States in the event of a hazardous spill. 

1.	 Contact the U.S. Immigration Supervisor on duty at the Naco Port of Entry at 520-432-

2791 or 520-432-3111, describing the nature of the accident/spill. The duty supervisor 

will then contact the Area Port Director or Phoenix District for further guidance. 

2.	 Only qualified emergency personnel should apply to enter the United States as part of an 

organized and recognized emergency response team. 

3.	 INS and US Customs Inspectors providing for a quick and rapid inspection process will 

conduct joint inspections of qualified personnel. 

In the unforeseen event of an actual emergency, the entry of all responding fire, emergency 

medical and law enforcement personal acting in an official capacity would be accommodated per 

Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

Between Naco, Sonora and Cochise County, Arizona E - 1 

October 4, 2002 
section 212(d)(4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The authority to grant such waivers is 

not delegated below the level of Assistant District Director for Inspections Phoenix District, 

except in life threatening situations. In case of an unforeseen emergency, the Supervisory 

Immigration Inspector, or the person acting in this capacity, may recommend authorization of 

the waiver on the spot and later provide a detailed report to the office of the District Director 

concerning the incident. 

Section 212(d)(4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) provides for either the waiver of 

either passport or visa (Border Crossing Card or Laser Visa), or both “...on the basis of an 

unforeseen emergency...” The waiver authority contained in section 212(d)(4) of the INA were 

intended to provide discretionary flexibility in enforcing the law in extraordinary situations. 

It is our hope that in the event of Hazardous/Emergency situation that all parties will strive to 

provide a professional and expeditious process to allow emergency personnel to respond to life 

and death situations on both sides of the United States – Mexico Border. The Officers of the 

United States Immigration Service stand ready to assist when requested. 

Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

E - 2 Between Naco, Sonora and Cochise County, Arizona 

October 4, 2002 
APPENDIX F 

CROSS BORDER EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES RESPONSE SEQUENCE 

Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

Between Naco, Sonora and Cochise County, Arizona 

October 4, 2002 
Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

Between Naco, Sonora and Cochise County, Arizona 

October 4, 2002 
APPENDIX F 

CROSS BORDER EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES RESPONSE SEQUENCE 

The information included in this Appendix is intended to serve as a guide for emergency medical 

personnel involved in cross border response operations. 

•	 Report is made 

•	 Confirm the incident 

•	 Activate the Response Plan, request that neighboring municipality be placed on standby alert 

•	 Place hospital on standby 

•	 Request status of available resources 

•	 Assume Emergency Medical Services command and report to Unified Command Post 

•	 Decon Sector established 

•	 Staging Sector established 

•	 Triage Sector established 

•	 Establish hospital communications 

•	 Obtain initial hospital capability/bed inventory from hospitals 

•	 Upgrade neighboring municipality from standby to operational mode if mutual aid will be 

 necessary, and advise the municipality of resource needs 

•	 Establish Treatment Sector 

•	 Develop listing of receiving hospitals and identify access routes 

•	 Begin transportation of patients from Transportation Sector by priority to appropriate hospital 

 patients being transported across the border will be double tagged per guidelines 

•	 Provide appropriate pre-hospital care prior to transport if treatment sector has been established 

•	 Continue to monitor hospital candidates 

•	 Advise Medical Examiners and mortuaries if necessary 

Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

Between Naco, Sonora and Cochise County, Arizona 

October 4, 2002 F - 1 
GUIDELINES FOR AMBULANCES 

REQUESTED TO PROVIDE CROSS BORDER ASSISTANCE 

When requested to provide assistance to Emergency Medical Services across the border for major 

incident/disaster situations, all ambulance crews will follow these guidelines: 

•	 Report to meeting area as directed by dispatch (usually a border crossing) 

•	 Police will meet and escort vehicles to site 

•	 Maintain communications with dispatch on assigned channel 

•	 On arrival at site, report to staging area as directed or site commander 

•	 Advise EMS command whether crew is Advanced Life Support (ALS) or Mobile Intensive Care 

 Unit (MICU) 

•	 Provide appropriate pre-hospital care prior to transport if treatment sector has been established as 

directed by Emergency Medical Services command 

•	 Transportation of patients from transportation sector by priority to appropriate hospital as 

directed 

•	 Patients being transported cross border will be double tagged as per guidelines 

•	 Return to site after delivering patients to appropriate hospital 

•	 Clear and return to home base when directed by dispatch 

Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

Between Naco, Sonora and Cochise County, Arizona 

F - 2 October 4, 2002 
Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

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October 4, 2002 
APPENDIX G 

RESPONSE RESOURCES 

Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

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October 4, 2002 
Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

Between Naco, Sonora and Cochise County, Arizona 

October 4, 2002 
APPENDIX G 

RESPONSE RESOURCES 

A. NACO, SONORA 

City of Naco, Sonora Fire Department 

Avenida Francisco Madero #285, Naco, Sonora 

(01152633) 334-0707, 334-0130 José 

EQUIPMENT: 

Vehicles: - 2 extinguishing units - 1 advance unit Communications equipment: 

EMERGENCY RESPONDERS: 

Response Personnel: 11 people Responder Capabilities: Fire prevention and 

Halcones Auxiliary and Rescue Radio Club Brigade 

320 Emiliano Zapata Ave., Naco, Sonora (01152633) 334-0555 Juán 

EQUIPMENT: Vehicles: 

- 9 units Communications equipment: - 9 mobile radios - 6 portable radios 

EMERGENCY RESPONDERS: 

Response Personnel: - 21 volunteers 

Responder Capabilities: 

- first response, cordoning off of emergenc

materials, rescue 

Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan Between Naco, Sonora and Cochise County, Arizona October 4, 2002 
Naco Municipal Police 285 Francisco I. Madero, Naco, Sonora (01152633) 334-0130 Juán 

EQUIPMENT: Vehicles: 

- 6 units Communications equipment: - 3 mobile radios - 1 base 

EMERGENCY RESPONDERS: 

Response Personnel: - 22 individuals 

Responder Capabilities: - crime prevention and general surveillance 

Judicial State Police of Sonora 285 Francisco I. Madero, Naco, Sonora (01152633) 334-0435 Cdr. 

Rom

EQUIPMENT: Vehicles: 

- 1 unit Communications equipment: - 1 mobile radio - 1 base - 5 portable radios 

EMERGENCY RESPONDERS: 

Response Personnel: - 5 individuals Responder Capabilities: - securing of dangerous areas, crime preve

Binational 

Between N

G - 2 
APPENDIX G 

RESPONSE RESOURCES 

A. NACO, SONORA 

Naco Municipal Civil Protection – Emergency Services 

285 Francisco I. Madero, Naco, Sonora (01152633) 334-0128 José 

Repr

EQUIPMENT: Vehicles: Communications equipment: 

EMERGENCY RESPONDERS: 

Response Personnel: Responder Capabilities: 

Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan Between Naco, Sonora and Cochise County, Arizona October 4, 2002 
Bisbee Fire Department 192 Highway 92, Bisbee, AZ 85603 

Business (520) 432-4110 Emergency (520) 432-2261 Fax (520) 432-2594 Pager (520) 803-4501 Cell (520) 249-3249 

Chie

EQUIPMENT: 

Vehicles: - 1991 Chevy 4X4 Type 6 (200 gal.) - 1981 GMC Type 3 (300 gal.) - 1991 Intern Type 1 (750 gal.) - 1968 M94A Tender (1,200 gal.) - 1989 Ford ambulance - 1995 Ford ambulance - 1999 Ford ambulance 

 Communications equipment 

- 7 mobile radios - 12 portable radios - 1 base 

EMERGENCY RESPONDERS: 

Response Personnel: - 21 individuals Responder Capabilities: - 7 Firemen/Emergency Medical Technicia- 13 Paramedics 

Fry Fire District 4817 S. Apache Ave., Sierra Vista, AZ 85650 

Business (520) 378-3276, ext. 13 Fax (520) 378-0227 Pager (520) 378-9045 (asst. chief) Cell (520) 249-5079 

Chie

Binational 

Between N

G - 4 
APPENDIX G 

RESPONSE RESOURCES 

B. COCHISE COUNTY, ARIZONA 

EQUIPMENT: 

Vehicles: - 2001 Tender (2,000 gal.) - 2001 Tender (4,000 gal.) - 1993 Heavy rescue vehicle - 1993 Air unit - Hazardous materials response trailer - 2001 EMS light rescue truck - 1985 maintenance vehicle - 2001 command vehicle - 1997 Brush Truck, type 6, 4X4 (250 gal.) - 1989 Brush Truck, type 6, 4X4 (250 gal.) - 1988 Brush Truck, type 6, 4X4 (250 gal.) - 1996 structural vehicle, type 3 4X4 (500 gal.) - 1989 structural vehicle, type 1 (2,000 gal.) - 1986 structural vehicle, type 1 (1,000 gal.) - 1976 structural vehicle, type 1 (1,000 gal.) - 2001 ambulance w/ALS - 1 1996 ambulance w/ALS - 2 1994 ambulances w/ALS - 2002 ambulance w/ALS - 50 person trauma unit Communication Equipment: - 19 mobile radios - 47 handheld radios - 3 bases 

EMERGENCY RESPONDERS: 

Response Personnel: - 27 line personnel full time firefighting sta- 5 fire staff - 12 reserve firefighters - 4 EMS volunteers - 9 technicians Responder Capabilities: - all firefighters, fire staff and reserves are 

Responder Operations standards 

Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan Between Naco, Sonora and Cochise County, Arizona October 4, 2002 
Pirtleville Fire District 404 Irvine Ave. 

Pirtleville, AZ 85626 

(520) 364-5913 Tony 

EQUIPMENT: 

Vehicles: 

- 1986 GMC Engine 4&4 (250 gallons) - 1976 Dodge Pumper (1500 gallons) 

Communication Equipment: 

- 10 portable radios - 3 mobile radios 

EMERGENCY RESPONDERS: 

Response Personnel: 

- 14 volunteers 

Responder Capabilities: 

- First Response (5 individuals) 

Douglas Fire Department 1400 10th Street Douglas, AZ 85607 (520) 364-2481 Chie

EQUIPMENT: 

Vehicles: 

- 4 fire engines - 4 ambulances - 1 rescue vehicle - 1 support vehicle 

Communication Equipment: 

- 18 portable radios - 14 mobile radios 

-

7 cell phones 

EMERGENCY RESPONDERS: 

Response Personnel: 

- 25 individuals 

Responder Capabilities: 

- Firefighter/paramedic (9 individuals- Firefighter/Emergency Medical Tec- Hazmat technician (4 individuals) - Fire investigators (4 individuals) - CPR certified (25 individuals) - Administration staff (2 individuals) 

Binational 

Between N

G - 6 
APPENDIX H 

EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION 

Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

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October 4, 2002 
Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

Between Naco, Sonora and Cochise County, Arizona 

October 4, 2002 
 

APPENDIX H 

EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION FORM
 

When any party is notified of an actual or threatened spill, release, fire or explosion of a hazardous 

substance conforming to this plan, the following information should be provided: 

a. Reporting party (name of functionary or responder, telephone number, and address)/informante (nombre del 

funcionario o de él que responde, número de teléfono y dirección): 

b. Suspected responsible party (name, telephone number, and address)/Probable entidad responsable (nombre, número 

de teléfono y dirección): 

c. Description of incident (how the release, spill, fire, or explosion occurred)/descripción del incidente (cómo occurrió 

la fuga, el derrame, el fuego o la explosión): 

d. Date and time of incident/fecha y hora del incidente: 

Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

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October 4, 2002 H - 1 
APPENDIX H 

EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION FORM
 

e. Vehicle identification number/número de identificación del vehículo: 

f. Location/lugar: 

g. Type of container and capacity/tipo de contenedor y capacidad: 

h. Specific identifiers (e.g., cross road, railroad milepost)/identificadores específicos (e.g., intersección, kilómetro de la 

vía del ferrocarril): 

i. Hazardous substances involved/sustancias peligrosas involucradas: 

Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

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H - 2 October 4, 2002 
APPENDIX H 

EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION FORM
 

j. Quantity/cantidad: 

k. Spill or release to air, soil, or water: Where is it going? How much to water?/derrame o escape al aire, suelo o agua: 

)hacia dónde va? )qué cantidad va al agua?: 

l. Corrective actions taken/acciones de corrección tomadas: 

m. Roads closed/caminos cerrados: 

Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

Between Naco, Sonora and Cochise County, Arizona 

October 4, 2002 H - 3 
APPENDIX H 

EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION FORM
 

n. Number of deaths, injuries, or evacuations/número de muertos, heridos o evacuaciones: 

o. Other notifications made/otras notificaciones hechas: 

p. Additional comments/comentarios adicionales: 

Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

Between Naco, Sonora and Cochise County, Arizona 

H - 4 October 4, 2002 
APPENDIX I 

ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS 

Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

Between Naco, Sonora and Cochise County, Arizona 

October 4, 2002 
Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

Between Naco, Sonora and Cochise County, Arizona 

October 4, 2002 
APPENDIX I
 

ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS
 

ENGLISH SPANISH 

ADEQ Arizona Department of Environmental 

Quality 

ADEQ Departamento de Calidad Ambiental de 

Arizona 

ALS Advanced Life Support ALS Sostenimiento Permanente de Vida 

ARS Arizona Revised Statutes ARS Estatutos Revisados de Arizona 

BEPC Binational Emergency Planning Committee CBPE Comité Binacional de Planeación de 

Emergencias 

CENACOM National Communications Center (Mexico) CENACOM Centro Nacional de Comunicaciones 

(México) 

CENAPRED National Disaster Prevention Center 

(Mexico) 

CENAPRED Centro Nacional de Prevención de Desastres 

(México) 

CEPPO Chemical Emergency Preparedness and 

Prevention Office (U.S. EPA) 

CEPPO Oficina de Preparación y Prevención de 

Emergencias Químicas (E.U.) 

CERCLA Comprehensive Environmental Response, 

Compensation and Liability Act (U.S.) 

CERCLA Ley General de Respuesta, Compensación y 

Responsabilidad (E.U.) 

CHEMTREK Chemical Transportation Emergency Center 

(U.S.) 

CHEMTREK Centro de Transportación Emergente de 

Químicos 

CHRIS/HACS Chemical Hazards Response Information 

System / Hazardous Assessment Computer 

System (U.S.) 

CHRIS/HACS Sistema de Información de Respuestas de 

Químicos Peligrosos / Sistema 

Computacional Evaluativo de Riesgos 

CIS Chemical Information Systems (U.S. EPA 

and National Institutes of Health) 

CIS Sistemas de Información de Químicos (U.S. 

EPA e Institutos Nacionales de Salud) 

CNA National Water Commission (Mexico) CNA Comisión Nacional del Agua (México) 

COSC City On Scene Coordinator CMEE Coordinador Municipal en Escena 

CVSS Commercial Vehicle Safety Specialist (U.S.) CVSS Especialista en Seguridad de Vehículos 

Comerciales (E.U.) 

CWA Clean Water Act (U.S.) CWA Ley de Agua Sana (E.U.) 

DOE U.S. Department of Energy DOE Departamento de Energía (E.U.) 

DPS Arizona Department of Public Safety DPS Departamento de Seguridad Pública de 

Arizona 

EHS Extremely hazardous substance EHS Sustancia extremadamente peligrosa 

EOC Emergency Operations Center COE Centro de Operaciones de Emergencia 

EMS Emergency Medical Services SME Servicios Médicos de Emergencia 

EPA Environmental Protection 

Agency (U.S.) 

EPA 

Agencia de Protección Ambiental (E.U.) 

EPCRA Emergency Planning and Community Rightto-Know Act (U.S.) EPCRA Acta de Planeación de Emergencias y 

Derecho de Conocimiento de la Comunidad 

(E.U.) 

ERT Environmental Response Team ERT Equipo de Respuesta Ambiental 

FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency 

(U.S.) 

FEMA Agencia Federal para el Manejo de 

Emergencias (E.U.) 

FOSC Federal On Scene Coordinator CFEE Coordinador Federal en Escena 

Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

Between Naco, Sonora and Cochise County, Arizona 

October 4, 2002 I - 1
APPENDIX I 

ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS
 

ENGLISH SPANISH 

HAZMAT Hazardous Materials MP Materiales Peligrosos 

IBWC International Boundary and Water 

Commission 

CILA Comisión Internacional de Límites y Aguas 

IC Incident Commander CI Comandante del Incidente 

ICP Incident Command Post PMI Puesto de Mando del Incidente 

ICS Incident Command System SMI Sistema de Mando del Incidente 

INE National Institute of Ecology (Mexico) INE Instituto Nacional de Ecología (México) 

INS Immigration and Naturalization Service 

(U.S.) 

INS Servicio de Migración y Naturalización 

(E.U.) 

ISJRT Issue/Incident Specific Joint Response Team ERCIE Equipo de Respuesta Conjunta de 

Asunto/Incidente Específico 

JCP Joint Contingency Plan PCC Plan Conjunto de Contingencias 

JRT Joint Response Team ERC Equipo de Respuesta Conjunta 

LEPC Local Emergency Planning Committee LEPC Comité Local de Planeación de Emergencias 

MICU Mobile Intensive Care Unit UMCI Unidad Móvil de Cuidado Intensivo 

NCP National Oil and Hazardous Substances 

Contingency Plan (U.S.) 

NCP Plan Nacional de Contingencias por 

Contaminación de Petróleo y Sustancias 

Peligrosas 

NRC National Response Center (U.S.) NRC Centro Nacional de Respuesta (E.U.) 

NRT National Response Team (U.S.) NRT Equipo Nacional de Respuesta (E.U.) 

OHM-TADS EPA Office of Hazardous Materials 

Technical Assistance Data System (U.S.) 

OHM-TADS Oficina de Materiales Peligrosos de la EPA, 

Sistema de Datos de Apoyo Técnico (E.U.) 

OPA Oil Pollution Act (U.S.) OPA Decreto de Contaminación de Aceites (E.U.) 

OSC On Scene Coordinator CEE Coordinador en Escena 

OSHA Occupational Safety and Health 

Administration (U.S.) 

OSHA Administración de Seguridad y Salud en el 

Trabajo (E.U.) 

PROFEPA Federal Attorney General for Environmental 

Protection (Mexico) 

PROFEPA Procuraduría Federal de Protección al 

Ambiente (México) 

PSTN Pesticide Safety Team Network PSTN Red Equipo de Seguridad contra Pesticidas 

REDI Arizona Rural Economic Development 

Initiative 

REDI Iniciativa de Desarrollo Económico Rural de 

Arizona 

RP Responsible Party PR Parte Responsable 

RRT Regional Response Team (U.S.) RRT Equipo de Respuesta Regional (E.U.) 

SARA Title III Superfund Amendments and 

Reauthorization Act Title III (the 

Emergency Planning and Community Rightto-Know Act of 1986) (U.S.) 

SARA Título III Ley de Planeación de Emergencias y del 

Derecho-de-Estar-Informados de la 

Comunidad de 1986 de la Ley de Enmiendas 

y Reautorización del Superfondo (E.U.) 

SBR Sequencing Batch Reactor SBR Reactor de Cargas en Secuencia 

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APPENDIX I
 

ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS
 

ENGLISH SPANISH 

SEMARNAT Secretariat of Environment and Natural 

Resources (Mexico) 

SEMARNAT Secretaría de Medio Ambiente, Recursos 

Naturales (México) 

SERC State Emergency Response Commission 

(U.S.) 

SERC Comisión Estatal de Respuesta a 

Emergencias (E.U.) 

SINAPROC National Civil Protection System (Mexico) SINAPROC Sistema Nacional de Protección Civil 

(México) 

SITREP Situation Report REPSIT Reporte de Situación 

SOP Standard Operating Protocols SOP Protocolos Normales de Operación 

SOSC State On Scene Coordinator CEEE Coordinador Estatal en Escena 

SSO Site Safety Officer OSS Oficial de Seguridad en en Sitio 

USCG U.S. Coast Guard (U.S.) USCG Guardia Costera de los E.U. (E.U.) 

WQARF State of Arizona Water Quality Assurance 

Revolving Fund 

WQARF Fondo Revolvente de la Oficina Estatal para 

Asegurar la Calidad del Agua del Estado de 

Arizona 

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APPENDIX J 

DEFINITIONS 

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APPENDIX J 

DEFINITIONS 

Area Contingency Plan: As defined by sections 311(a) (19) and (j) (4) of CWA, as amended by 

OPA, means the plan prepared by an Area Committee, that in conjunction with the NCP, shall 

address the removal of a discharge including a worst-case discharge and the mitigation or prevention 

of a substantial threat of such a discharge from a vessel, off-shore facility, or on-shore facility 

operating in or near an area designated by the President. 

Cleanup: For the purposes of this document, cleanup refers to the removal and/or treatment of oil, 

hazardous substances, and/or the waste or contaminated materials generated by the incident. 

Cleanup includes restoration of the site and its natural resources. 

Decontamination: The removal of hazardous substances from personnel and their equipment 

necessary to prevent adverse health effects and secondary contamination. 

Discharge: Any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying or dumping. 

Drinking Water Supply: As defined by section 101(7) of CERCLA, means any raw or finished 

water source that is or may be used by a public water system (as defined in the Safe Drinking Water 

Act) or as drinking water by one or more individuals. 

Environment: The atmosphere, land surface or subsurface strata, and surface and ground waters, 

including the natural resources contained therein, such as fish, wildlife, forests, farm and pasture 

lands, rivers, streams, aquifers, and all other components of the ecosystem. 

Environmentally Sensitive Area: An especially delicate or sensitive natural resource that requires 

protection in the event of a pollution incident. 

Ground Water: As defined by section 101(12) of CERCLA, water in a saturated zone or stratum 

beneath the surface of land or water. 

Hazardous Material: Any non-radioactive solid, liquid, or gaseous substance which, when 

uncontrolled may be harmful to humans, animals, or the environment including, but not limited to, 

substances otherwise defined as hazardous wastes, dangerous wastes, extremely hazardous wastes, 

oil or pollutants. 

Incident: Any event that results in a discharge of oil or hazardous materials. Action by emergency 

service personnel may be required to prevent or minimize loss of life or damage to property and/or 

natural resources. 

Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC): A group of local representatives appointed by the 

State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) to prepare local oil and hazardous materials spill 

response plans as per the mandates of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act, Title III. 

Natural Resources: Land, fish, wildlife, biota, air, water, ground water, drinking water supplies, and 

other such resources. 

On-Scene Coordinator (OSC): The government official at an incident scene responsible for 

coordinating response activities. 

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APPENDIX J 

DEFINITIONS 

Pollutant or Contaminant: Includes but is not limited to any element, substance, compound, or 

mixture, including disease-causing agents, which after release into the environment and upon 

exposure, ingestion, inhalation, or assimilation into any organism, either directly from the 

environment or indirectly by ingestion through food chains, will or may reasonably be anticipated to 

cause death, disease, behavioral abnormalities, cancer, genetic mutation or physiological 

malfunctions, or physical or reproductive deformations in such organisms and their offspring. 

Regional Response Team (RRT): The federal response organization (consisting of representatives 

from selected federal and state agencies) which acts as a regional body responsible for planning and 

preparedness before an oil spill occurs and for providing advice to the OSC in the event of a major or 

substantial spill. 

Release: Any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, 

escaping, leaching, dumping, or disposing of hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants into 

the environment including the abandonment or discarding of barrels, containers and other closed 

receptacles containing any hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. It excludes: (a) any 

release which results in exposure to persons solely within a work place; (b) emissions from the 

engine exhaust of a motor vehicle, rolling stock, aircraft, vessel, or pipeline pumping station engine; 

and (c) the normal application of fertilizer. 

State Emergency Response Commission (SERC): A group of officials appointed by the state 

governor to implement the provisions of Title III of the Federal Superfund Amendments and 

Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA). The SERC approves the State Oil and Hazardous Substances 

Discharge Prevention and Contingency Plan and Local Emergency Response Plans. 

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APPENDIX K 

REVISION DIARY 

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APPENDIX K 

REVISION DIARY 

REVISION DIARY 

DESCRIPTION DATE 

1. Original Signing of the Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

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Between Naco, Sonora and Cochise County, Arizona 

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APPENDIX L 

CROSS BORDER CRITICAL INCIDENT RESPONSE TEAM 

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Binational Prevention and Emergency Response Plan 

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APPENDIX L 

CROSS BORDER CRITICAL INCIDENT RESPONSE T

Office of Emergency Services 

 Incident Command

 EMS 

Law Enforcement Health Board of Supervisors Public Works 

Disaster Med. 

CCHD 

NSHD 

Lo

gistics Safety

 Shelter / Feedin

g Public Information Mortu

Communication Flight Operations Staging HazMat Animal H

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Binational Pre

Between Naco

L - 2 
MAPS 

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