The Hazmat Response Unit will help protect our primary source of drinking water. The Rio Grande River is the primary water source for Laredo, Northern Mexico and the Rio Grande Valley. The majority of all NAFTA related Hazmat cargo crosses over the Rio Grande River in Laredo, Texas and the Laredo Fire Department needs support to protect this vital lifeline. Because of our location along the border, we are isolated from any other regional resources or agencies that could render mutual aid. Our present resources are strained due to the City’s growing trade demands that ultimately are destined for manufacturers and businesses throughout the country. Federal funding would provide the needed assistance in addressing homeland security required to keep our nation safe and secure from any and all threats against our great nation.

The County of Webb, in which Laredo is located, is the 6th largest county of the 254 counties in the State of Texas. It covers 3,360 sq. miles or 2,139,217 acres. As the second fastest growing city in the nation, Laredo has outgrown its boundaries. Laredo has a contract with Webb, County to protect and respond to emergencies. The County of Webb has 4 cities that the Laredo Fire Department is responsible for: Mirando City, Bruni, Oilton, and Aguilares. The Laredo metropolitan area posted the largest gain in population of any other city along the Texas border. Laredo has a population of 210,000 residents and its sister city, Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, has a population of 600,000 residents. The Nuevo Laredo Fire Department has a total of 3 outdated engine/pumpers, 1 aerial truck, an inadequate and antiquated water grid system (absent in some areas), no trained Hazmat personnel, and no Hazmat equipment. Laredo borders the Rio Grande River; which is the water supply for both cities on either side of the border and the lower Rio Grande Valley. The designated Hazmat Bridge port is north of our water intake system. Placement of this unit is a key component to averting mass contamination of our only water source. A quick response to a potential Hazmat spill before it reaches our water source is very crucial. Laredo borders the Rio Grande River; which is the water supply for both cities on both sides of the border.\ Laredo is the main NAFTA corridor for the United States and correspondingly in Texas for international trade. Laredo has four International Bridges and is currently in the process of applying for a Presidential Permit to build a fifth International Bridge. Laredo carries 50% of all NAFTA related trade through Texas. Fifty percent of the trade that crosses through Laredo is Hazardous Material. United States, Mexico, Central and South America’s economies depend on secure bridges (the artery through which life flows for the business-trade sector). Terrorist actions or any disruptive situations would be detrimental to local, state, national and international economies. According to Laredo Development Foundation’s 2001 data, Laredo is the number one inland port in the United States with 2,772,537 annual tractor-trailer crossings and an additional 350,620 rail car crossings through our single railroad bridge. Almost half of the cargo that travels through the Laredo Corridor by land and rail carries Hazardous Materials. The Laredo Airport, a former U.S. Air Force Base, had 226 million pounds of freight land in 2001. Laredo has an enormous potential for a disaster involving Hazardous Materials due to the volume of Hazmat cargo, commerce, and tourism present on both sides of the border. Additionally, Laredo has over 60 million square feet of warehouse space and at least a quarter of that space contains hazardous materials and is highly vulnerable to Terrorism and Bio-Chemical Terrorism.

Located along the US/Mexico Border, we are strategically positioned to provide services to the South Texas Rio Grande Valley, surrounding cities and cities located along the Mexican border. The Laredo Fire Department Hazmat Response team is prepared and continues to be proactive in providing training that mutually benefits our City, State and Country. The port of Laredo handles more than 40% of all overland trade between the United States and Mexico. The proposed Hazmat Response Unit would provide coverage and protection to our citizens and essentially all citizens of our nation. Presently, only one (1) Hazmat Response Unit is available to secure the entire City, County, and neighboring communities. Trade will continue to increase and must flow through our border efficiently to keep up with the nation’s growing economy. It is only with an additional Hazmat response unit that we can protect our constituency and the industry against any hazardous and/or biological threats during times of increased trade.