During this hurricane season, operations at several ports and pre-clearance locations were severely disrupted. Hundreds of CBP employees were told to evacuate; while others stayed behind in CBP ports and Border Patrol sector stations to ensure mission continuity. Working together, members of the frontline officer corps, supported by a command and control center at Headquarters, went to extraordinary lengths to ensure not only the safety and security of CBP's people and facilities but to their local communities, as well.

I want to bring to your attention a few of the remarkable efforts of our employees:

• In the aftermath of Hurricane Charley, Border Patrol K-9 search and rescue teams responded to the request of the Lee and Charlotte County emergency operations center in Punta Gorda, Florida. From August 14 - 16, five Border Patrol K-9 teams participated in joint search and rescue operations at several destroyed mobile home parks.
• The Miami Field Operations Office supplied emergency equipment, generators, food, water, and a recovery team to the Port of Ft. Myers during Hurricane Charley. The Miami Border Patrol Sector air assets assisted other DHS agencies in damage assessment efforts. The West Palm Beach Border Patrol Station provided refuge, logistical support, and secure storage for Coast Guard, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and state agency vessels and vehicles during Hurricane Frances.
• The CBP Employee Assistance Program (EAP) traveled to the Orlando area after Hurricane Charley, providing support and resources to employees. There, an EAP counselor distributed identified disaster relief information and offered EAP services to employees impacted by the storm. The EAP will travel to West Palm Beach and Fort Pierce shortly.
• The Tampa Field Office established a round-the-clock command center at the Orlando International airport during Hurricanes Frances and Ivan, immediately accounting for employees, and even physically searching for missing employees. Many employees delayed their personal hurricane preparations to process the last flights arriving prior to airport closures.
• The Border Patrol Pembroke Pines, Florida station was the temporary home to local CBP employees and their families during Hurricane Frances. Built to withstand Category 4 hurricanes, the station provided food and shelter for CBP officers and their families for several days. The Miami Border Patrol Sector supplied emergency equipment to Border Patrol Agents and their families in the West Palm Beach, Orlando and Tampa areas in the aftermath of Hurricanes Charley and Frances.
• The Miami Field Office provided assistance, equipment and supplies to CBP employees impacted by Hurricane Frances at the Ports of West Palm Beach and Ft. Pierce, Florida. CBP recovery teams spent days assisting employees who had significant structural damage to their homes. Recovery teams were deployed to missing employees' homes.
• During Hurricane Ivan, the Border Patrol station in Mobile, Alabama carried out their hurricane evacuation plan, securing their station and relocating assets and equipment. Several Border Patrol agents and their families took shelter in the station.

These weather events and their effects are a grim reminder that disasters do happen, and reinforce the importance of citizen preparedness that was called for by Secretary Ridge this September - National Preparedness Month.

We are very fortunate that no members of the CBP family lost their lives as a result of the recent hurricanes. We are, however, saddened to know that several CBP employees experienced significant property damage and have been temporarily displaced. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all for a timely recovery.

I would like to personally thank the thousands of CBP employees who joined together during this difficult time. As your Commissioner, I am proud of your continued commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our agency, our families, and our communities.

Robert C. Bonner
Commissioner