Yuma, Ariz. In preparation of this summers hot weather and in an effort to reduce the possibility of heat related injuries and death, the Yuma Sector will deploy five additional Rescue Beacons. The Rescue Beacons were designed for deployment to remote areas along the border and to provide people, who perceive themselves to be in a life threatening situation, with a mechanism for summoning assistance.

Once a person in distress locates one of the 19 already deployed Rescue Beacons, a sign affixed to the beacon instructs them to simply depress a button and wait for assistance. A signal will then be emitted to Sector Communications and an agent will be dispatched to investigate the source of the activation.

Although there have been approximately 317 rescues resulting from an activation of a Rescue Beacon, it should also be noted that the beacons do not guarantee safety. We work very hard to ensure that our borders are secure and safe, but many lives are still lost as a result of people not fully comprehending the inherent dangers of illegally crossing through the remote areas of the desert southwest and not being aware of how quickly heat exhaustion can occur, said Chief Patrol Agent Paul Beeson.

We would like to extend an invitation to all media outlets interested in covering the deployment of the additional Rescue Beacons. Due to the rugged terrain, interested media outlets are advised to contact the Yuma Sector Public Affairs Office for transportation to the Rescue Beacon installation site.

Event: Rescue Beacon Installation

Date: April 9th, 2008

Time: 6:00 AM

Location:
Yuma Sector Headquarters
4035 S. Ave. A
Yuma, AZ 85364

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

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