Border Patrol Search, Trauma, and Rescue

The Border Patrol Search, Trauma, and Rescue Unit (BORSTAR) is a specialized unit of the United States Border Patrol trained in emergency search and rescue and medical response.[1][2] It primarily assists injured or stranded migrants who enter the United States illegally from Mexico at remote desert locations.

Border Patrol Search, Trauma, and Rescue Unit
Active1998 – present[1]
CountryUnited States
AgencyUnited States Border Patrol
Part ofSpecial Operations Group
HeadquartersEl Paso, Texas
AbbreviationBORSTAR
Structure
Active Personnel253 (2015)[2]

The BORSTAR national headquarters is in El Paso, Texas, and units are stationed in each southwest Border Patrol sector.[3][4] In 2007, BORSTAR was placed under the command of the newly formed Special Operations Group together with the Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC).[5]

History
BORSTAR training, 2006
BORSTAR diver surveys the bridge of sunken ship Black Bart off the coast of Panama City, Florida.
Rappelling on Mount Lemmon, 2011

Officials in the Border Patrol's San Diego Sector asked for permission to start a rescue team to help agents and civilians who needed assistance. BORSTAR was created in 1998 in response to the growing number of migrant deaths along the Mexico–United States border.

In 1999, a BORSTAR training academy opened in Tucson, Arizona, and in 2001, the unit added rescue dogs.[3][4]

Training

BORSTAR is composed of volunteer agents from the U.S. Border Patrol. After serving two years, agents may apply to attend the five-week training course. BORSTAR members learn rescue techniques, land navigation, communications, teamwork, tactical medicine, swiftwater rescue, and air operations. They also obtain their basic-level certification as an Emergency Medical Technician. Some members receive additional specialized training which may include watercraft rescue, boat operations, cold weather operations, paramedic training, and SCUBA diving.[3]

Scope of operations

In addition to assisting migrants, BORSTAR units have helped hikers, motorists, and other Border Patrol agents in need of rescue.[4] BORSTAR units have responded to FEMA requests for assistance, including Hurricane Katrina rescue operations.[6]

The Border Patrol states that "situations vary in difficulty from simply locating victims and providing them with water to complex rescues requiring agents to rappel into remote canyons to assist victims and extract them by helicopter."[3]

References
  1. "Border Patrol Search, Trauma, and Rescue (BORSTAR)" (PDF). United States Customs and Border Protection. March 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  2. CBP's Special Operations Group Program Cost and Effectiveness are Unknown (PDF). Office of Inspector General (Report). 29 January 2016. OIG-16-34. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 November 2020. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  3. "Border Patrol Search, Trauma, and Rescue (BORSTAR)" (PDF). U.S. Customs and Border Protection. May 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-09-26.
  4. Devantier, Alecia T. (2006). Extraordinary Jobs in Government. Ferguson. ISBN 9781438111742.
  5. "Border Patrol Special Operations Group (SOG)" (PDF). United States Customs and Border Protection. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  6. Bonner, Robert C. (Sep 1, 2005). "Commissioner's Message on Hurricane Recovery". U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Archived from the original on September 8, 2013.
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