prepared by robert gadsby crossing the line international deployment of wildlands fire resources...

Prepared by Robert GadsbyPrepared by Robert Gadsby

Crossing the LineCrossing the LineInternational Deployment of International Deployment of

Wildlands Fire Resources Wildlands Fire Resources

Department of Homeland SecurityDepartment of Homeland SecurityUnited States Customs and Border United States Customs and Border

ProtectionProtectionService Port of Great Falls, MontanaService Port of Great Falls, Montana


Crossing the Line: International Deployment of Wildlands Fire ResourcesCrossing the Line: International Deployment of Wildlands Fire Resources

Scot TydemanScot TydemanOperations Specialist

U. S. Customs & Border ProtectionSeattle, Washington





Bob GadsbyBob GadsbySupervisor, Airports and Intelligence Programs

U. S. Customs & Border ProtectionGreat Falls, Montana




In March of 2003, America’s Border Agencies Reorganized under the

Department of Homeland SecurityDepartment of Homeland Security

We Are Now Called

U. S. Customs & Border ProtectionU. S. Customs & Border Protection

“CBPCBP”Department of Homeland SecurityDepartment of Homeland SecurityUnited States Customs and Border United States Customs and Border




These “Legacy” Agencies Were These “Legacy” Agencies Were Combined:Combined:

Customs ServiceBorder Patrol

Immigration and Naturalization Service InspectorsAgriculture PPQ Inspectors

Creating “One Face at the Border”Creating “One Face at the Border”








Our Job Has Changed Since 9/11Our Job Has Changed Since 9/11

Inter-agency Coordination

Balancing the Urgent Needs Balancing the Urgent Needs of Our Organizations Through of Our Organizations Through

Better CommunicationBetter Communication





Keeping It Simple:Keeping It Simple:1. Remember That You Are Subject to All the Laws of the Country You

Are Entering, and That They May Be Different from the Laws of Your Country.

2. Remember That When You Are Entering Another Country, You Will Need to Carry Both Identification and Proof of Citizenship. Persons with Criminal Records May Be Refused Entry.

3. Contraband of Any Type is Prohibited and Can Result in Penalties or Arrest. The Importation of Firearms is Strictly Regulated in Both the United States and Canada and for This Type of Crossing Would Seriously Complicate the Process.





Keeping It Simple:Keeping It Simple:4. The Dispatcher Can Request Priority to the Head of the Line

When Crossing the Border En-route to an Incident. Be Specific About the Crossing Being Used and the Time of Arrival.

5. When Returning from an Incident, Priority Crossing Will Not Be Considered. An Outbound Inspection May Be Required and All Necessary Documentation and Manifests Must Be Complete. If Crews are Returning by Air, Ensure that Customs and Immigration Officials are Notified in Advance and Arrangements are Made to Complete Outbound Inspections.





Keeping It Simple:Keeping It Simple:

6. Where Possible, All Documentation Should Be Submitted On an Official Customs and/or Immigration Form and All Accompanying Letters and Authorizations Must Be on Official Fire Agency Letterhead.





Plan Ahead If Possible, and Plan Ahead If Possible, and Communicate with Border Communicate with Border

OfficialsOfficials Speak Directly to the Port Director at the Location Where Resources Will Cross and Keep That Line of

Communication Open

The More Information CBP Has in Advance, the Faster We Can Process Resources at the Border. Fax In

Advance Information Such as Manifests of Personnel and Equipment






Think of the Your Deployment in Three Parts:

1 – Authority1 – Authority

2 - People2 - People

3 - Equipment3 - Equipment





DocumentationDocumentation

1. Orders from the Requesting United States (or State) Government Agency On Their Letterhead That Specify the Location and Details of the Mutual Aid Deployment.

2. A Manifest of the Persons Applying for Entry, Including Their Full Name, DOB, and Citizenship. May Be On Agency Letterhead, but You Are Encouraged to Use the CBP Form I-193 for Each Person to Expedite.





DocumentationDocumentation

3. A Manifest of the Equipment Being Entered. Either On Agency Letterhead or (Preferably) On a CBP Form 7533. Information Can Be of a General Nature, But Should Describe Anything Not Attached to the Vehicle in Some Detail. (For Example, Wildlands Fire Engine #123, with Portable Pump, Portable Water Tank, 100 Gallons of Foam and Assorted Handtools.)





People Are the Most ProblematicPeople Are the Most Problematic

United States Law Requires a Face-to-Face Inspection for All Persons Entering the Country

You MUST Have Proof of Citizenship and Identification

If Your Crew Member Has Criminal Convictions, It Will Delay Processing for the Entire Unit






The CBP Officer Will Match the Individual Crew Member to the Manifest or CBP Form I-193 and Validate the Document “ADMITTED 212 (d) (4)”

Fees Will Be Waived

The Manifest and/or Forms I-193 Will Be Returned to the Person in Charge of the Deploying Unit and Should

Be Returned Upon Departure





Equipment Is EasyEquipment Is Easy

Check It In – Check It Out

Normally the Manifest Will Be Validated “ENTERED UNDER 19 CFR 10.107” and Returned to the Person in

Charge of the Deploying Unit

Anything Not Actually Returned to the Country of Origin or Expended in the Course of the Emergency Must Be

“Entered” Through the Normal Process





Departing ResourcesDeparting Resources

Check It Out – Check It In

Prior to Departure, Stop at the U. S. CBP Office and Request a CBP Form 4455 and Have It Validated by a

CBP Officer

This Helps Establish That All the Listed Equipment is of U.S. Origin and Simplifies Its Return





Aircraft Follow These RulesAircraft Follow These Rules

If You Land, You MUST Report to CBP at a Designated Airport of Entry Before You Proceed to the Incident

Speak Directly to the Port Director at the Location Where Resources will Arrive and Keep That Line of

Communication Open. Especially If You Are Transporting Ground Crews or Bulk Supplies






If You Don’t Land, and You Cross the International Border, You MUST Use the Designated Forestry

Squawk Code and Coordinate with AMOC and the Relevant Border Patrol Sector

[Retardant Drops and Observer Flights]





Helicopter Attack and SupportHelicopter Attack and Support

Direct Response Is Problematic

Case by Case Approval by the CBP Service Port Director in Coordination with the Relevant Border Patrol

Sector Chief

VERY IMPORTANT That You Coordinate with DHS Prior to Initiating





A Final Word: ContractorsA Final Word: Contractors

MUST Establish That They Are Responding Directly to an Incident at the Request of a U. S. Agency

Services versus Merchandise

Case by Case Approval by the CBP Port Director

VERY IMPORTANT That You Coordinate with DHS Prior to Initiating



Bob GadsbyBob GadsbySupervisor, Airports and Intelligence Programs

Great Falls, Montana406-453-0861 x201406-453-0861 [email protected]@dhs.gov

406-788-9810 (cell) 406-788-9810 (cell) 1-800-XSECTOR1-800-XSECTOR



prepared by robert gadsby crossing the line international deployment of wildlands fire resources...

Documents

montana slide

americas border agencies

type of crossing

better communication

legacy agencies

intelligence programs

urgent needs

interagency coordination