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[Narrator:] All the things we heard about
in this module take an emotional toll
on employees both at work and at home.
They get stressed, disappointed, and frustrated,
but they have found ways to take care of themselves
and remain committed to their work.
"...that border patrol called and said,
we see a white vehicle out there
and it looks good for something."
[laughing]
One way we deal with the stress here is just
by continually sharing the stories
of what people are dealing with, and talking to each other
about how to deal with those things.
We have fitness equipment
so that people can maintain a fitness program.
We do a lot of celebrations,
where we have celebrations
for bench marks we've hit, like the building
of the vehicle barrier fence, the completion of that.
We had a big celebration, luncheon,
to celebrate those kinds of things that are directly related
to the border, but they're big projects
that everybody has contributed towards.
That's really what we're finding is the important part
of appreciating each other
and rewarding each other for the hard work
that everybody's doing, understanding that it's
under extremely stressful situations.
And then the E.A.P. program the Employee Assistance Program is
always available and that's always suggested to employees,
too, in terms of taking advantage of that,
which can be a real help for employees that need
to discuss their emotional response to the situation.
[Interviewee:] We're very typical ranger district.
It is kind of a family oriented thing
and I think people talking about some of the instances
that they see out there and some of the stressors and so forth,
and so I think a lot of communication back and forth
and just comparing notes and keeping people aware
of the environment is a good thing to relieve stress,
because communication is a real good way of reducing it.
If you are talking about it with somebody that lives
in the same kind of environment you do, they're going
to understand you, and if you talk to somebody
that has never been in that kind of an environment,
they're either not going to believe you
or they won't know how to relate to it.
[Interviewee:] I've had really good support with my supervisor
because she had worked in the field for a couple
of years before I got here, so she's really good
about asking us how we are doing, if everything's okay.
I have a really good support network of friends and family
that I can talk to about anything that happens.
I was fascinated by this migration of humans willing
to risk everything, everything that you can possibly have
to come here and so I think through my own kind of studies
and investigations and readings,
that's kind of helped me to understand it.
[background guitar music]
[Narrator:] Despite all the problems employees face along
the border, they still find their jobs meaningful.
[Interviewee:] It's disheartening,
to say the least, because the employees are dedicated.
It isn't a job, it's a profession;
for many, it's a calling.
So it's pretty distressing to see the damage.
It impacts our ability to manage the area, to protect the area,
so it's extremely disheartening, but, rather than look at it
as the glass half empty,
well it's half full; at least we're here.
At least we can have a positive influence.
At least we can work with homeland security
and border patrol, and try and minimize the damage, and then,
hopefully, eventually put the patient back together again.
[Interviewee:] Personally,
I believe in the Wildlife Refuge System,
and protecting our public lands and our habitat for wildlife.
[chirping birds] And if we were to just throw up our arms
and leave this area and let border patrol
or immigrants take it over, it would be in much worse shape.
So I believe we are playing a very important role
in maintaining and managing these lands
for wildlife and keeping it
in the best condition that we can.
[Interviewee:] First and foremost, I love the land.
I love it here. I love being outside.
I grew up on the country, and so for me, this is my respite
from being surrounded by people and buildings and asphalt
and concrete, and I think it's totally necessary
to human health to be outside
and to be surrounded by nature.
I get to come out and work in a beautiful place everyday
and learn more about better relationships
between the plants and the animals
and the soil, and those kinds of things make me excited
to be here and to learn about that,
and share that with other people.
I love working with kids and showing them, helping them
to learn more about their environment, so my favorite part
of this job is the class groups, being able to, you know,
I guess share my love of this place and all
of the amazing mysteries and questions and beauty that it has
to offer, is totally worth it.
[background guitar music]
[Narrator:] In this module,
you heard how employees maintain their personal safety while
working near the border despite the prevalence of drug smuggling
and illegal immigration.
Working near the border can be a difficult
and disheartening place for employees who serve the public
and are dedicated to the land.
However, one of the most important messages you can take
away from this Module
is that you can maintain your safety near the border while
still enjoying your job and the beauty of where you work.
[music]