Glossary > #OFO

OFO – Office of Field Operations

Office of Field Operations (OFO) is a key component of the United States government’s efforts to manage and secure its borders and ensure the safety of the food supply. The abbreviation “OFO” can, depending on the context, refer to various agencies, particularly the Office of Field Operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Office of Field Operations of the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). This article provides a comprehensive overview of both entities, explaining their roles, functions, and significance within the federal framework.

CBP Office of Field Operations (CBP-OFO)

Overview

CBP Office of Field Operations is a federal law enforcement agency under U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which is part of the Department of Homeland Security. Established on March 1, 2003, following the Homeland Security Act of 2002, this office is responsible for managing customs operations in the United States at 328 ports of entry and 16 preclearance stations worldwide. CBP-OFO is the largest national law enforcement organization and the first unified border management agency in the world, with more than 65,000 employees.

Key Responsibilities

  • Border Security and Enforcement: CBP-OFO is tasked with securing the nation’s borders by enforcing immigration laws, preventing illegal entry and exit of individuals, and intercepting contraband. This includes the seizure of drugs, weapons, and other illegal goods.
  • Trade Compliance and Facilitation: The office oversees lawful trade and travel at U.S. ports of entry, ensuring compliance with federal laws while facilitating legitimate commerce. This includes managing import and export activities and ensuring the safety of goods entering the U.S.
  • Agricultural Inspections: Protecting American agriculture by inspecting goods for pests and diseases, thereby preventing potential threats to crops and livestock.
  • Counterterrorism Initiatives: Implementing programs like the Container Security Initiative (CSI) and Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT), OFO works to mitigate terrorist threats at ports by ensuring cargo security and compliance with international security standards.

Structure and Leadership

CBP-OFO is led by an Executive Assistant Commissioner and includes more than 27,000 employees, including over 22,000 officers and agricultural specialists. The office operates with a budget of approximately $7.5 billion, headquartered in Washington, D.C. The Field Operations Academy, responsible for training CBP officers and agricultural specialists, has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies for its outstanding training in public safety.

Operations and Achievements

CBP-OFO conducts extensive operations aimed at protecting U.S. borders, including:

  • Canine Enforcement Program: Utilizing detection dogs to identify narcotics, concealed individuals, and contraband.
  • Deployment of Advanced Technologies: Implementing Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) at ports to enhance processing efficiency and security.
  • Global Entry Program: Facilitating faster processing for low-risk travelers through pre-approval and streamlined security checks.

Collaboration with Border Patrol

While OFO focuses on ports of entry, U.S. Border Patrol operates between these points, preventing illegal entry and apprehending individuals attempting to cross the borders unlawfully. Both agencies collaborate to maintain border integrity and national security.

FSIS Office of Field Operations (FSIS-OFO)

Overview

FSIS Office of Field Operations is part of the Food Safety and Inspection Service under the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It plays a key role in ensuring the safety of meat, poultry, and egg products in the United States by managing inspection and verification programs across the country. FSIS is tasked with protecting public health by ensuring that the national commercial supply of meat, poultry, and egg products is safe, wholesome, and correctly labeled and packaged.

Key Responsibilities

  • Inspection and Verification: Conducting thorough inspections in processing and slaughter facilities to ensure compliance with food safety regulations. This includes oversight of certification processes and export verifications.
  • Food Safety Mission: Supporting FSIS’s mission to protect public health by preventing foodborne illnesses and ensuring that food products are safe for consumption.
  • Public Health Alerts: Issuing alerts and recalls to inform the public about potential health risks associated with contaminated food products.

Structure and Leadership

FSIS-OFO is organized into 10 district offices that oversee operations in various regions. The office is led by an Assistant Administrator, supported by Deputy Assistant Administrators and Executive Associates for Regulatory Operations. Recently, Dr. Denise Eblen was appointed Administrator of FSIS, leveraging her extensive experience to modernize inspection strategies and policies.

Operations and Initiatives

FSIS-OFO operations are designed to maintain high food safety standards:

  • Enforcing Humane Handling: Ensuring animal welfare during slaughter, with coordinators dedicated to compliance with humane handling.
  • Workforce Investment Initiative: A pilot program aimed at improving employee skills and increasing operational efficiency within FSIS.

Collaboration with Other Agencies

FSIS-OFO works closely with other federal agencies, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to strengthen food safety strategies and public health protection.

The Office of Field Operations (OFO), through its dual roles under CBP and FSIS, highlights the U.S. government’s commitment to national security and public health. Both the CBP Office of Field Operations and the FSIS Office of Field Operations serve distinct but complementary functions—one focusing on border security and trade facilitation, the other on food safety and inspection. Together, they contribute to protecting the nation’s borders, economy, and citizens’ health, reflecting a robust and multifaceted approach to federal operations.