Verizon stands ready to respond during severe weather season and beyond
April 17 2024 - 9:00AM
With the arrival of the spring season, communities across the
country are urging residents to make preparations for the
possibility of severe weather events such as tornadoes, hurricanes,
flooding and wildfires. Verizon stands ready to respond to any
event as a result of year-round preparations including emergency
drill exercises, network infrastructure enhancements and resource
staging for rapid response. Verizon’s readiness is a demonstration
of its commitment to reliability and maintaining the safety and
connectivity of communities, businesses and first responders.
“We know our customers rely on us to connect with loved ones or
request help when extreme weather strikes which is why we’ve built
and designed our network with industry leading resiliency and
reliability,” said Julie Slattery, Senior Vice President of Core
Engineering & Operations at Verizon. “Our team invests
considerable time and money to prepare for, and test our ability to
respond to emergency situations so our people and assets are ready
to be deployed at a moment’s notice to assist with rapid recovery
efforts to keep customers connected.”
Verizon’s networks are primedVerizon's extreme
network is built with industry leading resiliency and reliability
to withstand severe weather. In preparation for severe weather
events:
- Verizon engineers conduct thorough checks year-round, ensuring
backup systems like batteries and generators are operational across
all of its macro cell sites, with 79% equipped with backup
generators.
- Verizon has a fleet of over 550 portable network assets spread
out across the country for rapid deployment, including
generator-powered cell sites, drones, and a fixed-wing aircraft for
aerial support.
- Additionally, Verizon boasts an industry leading 200
satellite-based portable network assets, providing crucial
connectivity in scenarios where fiber connections are
compromised.
Verizon’s Response Team is trained to run to a
crisisVerizon’s Response Team is made up of various groups
of specialized engineers and technicians which include former first
responders and military personnel who are trained to run to a
crisis. The Verizon Response Team includes:
- Verizon’s Major Emergency Response Incident Team (MERIT), a
specialized team of hazardous material-certified Verizon
technicians and engineers.
- Verizon’s Dedicated Impact Response Team (DIRT), technicians
and engineers with specialty training in mobile satellite asset
deployment, basic generator repair, and cable/connector
making.
- Verizon’s Emergency Response Team (ERT), technicians and
engineers supporting wireline operations specialized in restoring
fiber connections.
- Verizon Frontline Crisis Response Team dedicated to providing
on-demand, emergency communication assistance during crisis
situations to government agencies and emergency responders, on a
24/7 basis.
First responders are empowered with Verizon
FrontlineThe Verizon Frontline Crisis Response Team is
poised to provide on-demand, emergency assistance to government
agencies and first responders to help maintain mission-critical
communications during emergency response operations at no cost to
the supported agency. Primarily composed of former first responders
and military members, the Verizon Frontline Crisis Response Team
responded to more than 1,600 requests for support from nearly 900
federal, state and local public safety agencies across all 50
states in 2023.
Are you ready for a severe weather
event?Verizon emphasizes the importance of individual
preparedness. When a severe weather event is forecast:
- Keep devices dry. While many phones today have
some degree of water resistance, you still want to take some extra
care to ensure phones, tablets, batteries, chargers and other
equipment remain dry and accessible. Plastic zipper storage bags
help shield devices, and there are weatherproof phones, phone cases
and other protective accessories available.
- Keep devices fully charged. Make sure your
device is ready when you need it by keeping phone and tablet
batteries fully charged in case commercial power goes out.
- Get some backup. When power is out for an
extended period of time, portable battery packs can be a
game-changer to ensure you remain connected. Don’t forget your car
chargers as well in case you need to evacuate.
- Create a list. Keep a list of emergency
numbers in your phone so that you have them if needed.
- Be prepared for loss. Take pictures of
valuables and other important belongings for possible insurance
claims. Make sure they’re uploaded to the cloud so you have a
backup.
- Review checklists. Review the hurricane
preparedness checklist, power outage checklist and other resources
from the American Red Cross.
- Download useful apps. There are plenty of free
weather, news, and safety-related apps available for download to
your smartphone.
Verizon is committed to its employeesThrough
the VtoV Employee Relief Fund, Verizon employees impacted by
natural disasters can apply to receive aid, reinforcing a pledge to
stand together in times of need.
More informationVisit our Media Resource Center
at https://www.verizon.com/about/news/media-resources for further
details on Verizon's emergency response capabilities, including
additional media assets.
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) was
formed on June 30, 2000 and is one of the world’s leading providers
of technology and communications services. Headquartered in New
York City and with a presence around the world, Verizon generated
revenues of $134.0 billion in 2023. The company offers data, video
and voice services and solutions on its award-winning networks and
platforms, delivering on customers’ demand for mobility, reliable
network connectivity, security and control.
Media contacts: Jeannine Brew Braggs
Chris
Ashraf201-320-4259christina.moon.ashraf@verizon.com
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