U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Jeh Johnson has been called on to examine the poor living conditions for Border Patrol agents at Forward Operating Bases (FOB) along the southwest border. The demand for answers specifically involves FOB Grip, located on the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge in Arizona.
Last week, the National Border Patrol Council sent a letter to the senators John McCain and Jeff Flake in which they detailed four outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease, a bacteria-induced case of pneumonia, at the FOB caused by contaminated water that is being transported to the FOB by truck.
“As we are sure you agree, this is unacceptable and should be remedied as quickly as possible,” wrote Senators McCain and Flake to Johnson. “The use of FOB Grip in securing the border is critical but its use should not be at the expense of agents that are away from their homes and families for significant periods of time.”
For years, both McCain and Flake have ignored the concerns about the border and the issues facing those who live near the border. With McCain facing a challenge from popular State Senator Kelli Ward in the Republican Primary, the needs of area residents are receiving some attention.
The first camps were established in the Tucson Sector in 2002.
In 2012, the Border Patrol union issued a statement condemning the FOBs. According to the National Border Patrol Council, “… during the period when David Aguilar was the chief of the Border Patrol, he started modeling the Border Patrol, a civilian law enforcement agency, after the military and it was during this time that they adopted the military term of “Forward Operating Base” for the camps. Unlike the military, the Border Patrol clearly does not appear to understand the importance of providing agents with the appropriate facilities, equipment, resources, etc. to maintain operational security of an FOB.”
The Council claimed: “Ironically, in consulting with officials from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the National Border Patrol Council (NBPC) learned how the regulation that applies to the construction, maintenance, and operation of the FOBs was specifically designed for temporary migrant worker camps, not Border Patrol operations. The regulation provided by OSHA was 29 CFR § 1910.142. Upon review of 29 CFR § 1910.142, the NBPC was shocked to learn how the FOBs do not even meet the basic standards established for temporary migrant worker camps and are in violation in several areas.”
The Border Patrol constructed permanent Forward Operating Bases (FOB) in the Tucson, Yuma, and El Paso sectors. According to sources, “In hindsight they were utilized properly. We had no other technology to support our FOB other than ground sensors. Basically, agents had a GPS and a topographical map and were wished good luck.” Sequestration changed that. Now, with prosecutorial discretion, there is no real value to FOBs because there is no desire to stop the human traffic say sources.
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The senator’s letter reads:
October 29, 2015
The Honorable Jeh Johnson
Secretary
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Washington, DC 20528Dear Secretary Johnson:
We wish to raise a matter that has been brought to our attention (letter attached) concerning the living conditions at Forward Operating Bases (FOB) along the southwest border, specifically FOB Grip, located on the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge in Arizona.
According to the National Border Patrol Council and agents stationed at the FOB, there has been four outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease at the FOB caused by contaminated water that is being transported to the FOB by truck. As we are sure you agree, this is unacceptable and should be remedied as quickly as possible. The use of FOB Grip in securing the border is critical but its use should not be at the expense of agents that are away from their homes and families for significant periods of time.
To help better understand the challenges in maintaining the health and safety conditions at FOBs and how DHS intends to remedy the specific health concerns at Forward Operating Base Grip, please provide answers to the following questions:
1. As of your receipt of this letter, how many Border Patrol agents stationed at FOBs along the southwest border have reported contracting or been treated for Legionaries’ disease?
2. What steps have been taken by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to guarantee the delivery of safe drinking water to FOBs and ensure that there is not another outbreak of the disease?
3. What rules or regulations have prevented CBP from drilling a well at FOB Grip to provide clean, safe drinking water to the agents?
4. Has CBP requested permission from Fish and Wildlife Service to drill a well to provide clean, safe drinking water for the Border Patrol agents stationed at Camp Grip? If no, please explain you decision to not make the request.
We appreciated your attention to this matter, in accordance with all existing rules, regulations and ethical guidelines, and look forward to a timely response.
Sincerely,
John McCain
Jeff Flake