Verizon is ready to keep first responders, businesses and people, connected as Tropical Storm Barry approaches the Gulf Coast...
July 12 2019 - 6:00AM
As the first major tropical depression of the season makes its way
toward the Gulf Coast, the region is bracing for the direct impact
of the storm. Whether stocking up on food and water,
sandbagging property, reviewing evacuation routes or preparing
communications plans, residents and first responders are readying
for the weather, and so are we. We are committed to keeping
consumers, first responders, public safety teams and enterprise
customers connected to loved ones and emergency resources when they
need us most.
“Running to a crisis and seeing a community through is
fundamental to who we are,” said Kyle Malady, Chief Technology
Officer at Verizon. “We have been preparing our network and
are ready to support those in the path of Tropical Storm
Barry.”
Verizon’s preparations for Tropical Storm
Barry
Verizon has made numerous preparations for the impending storm
including:
- Inspecting backup generators, HVAC systems and fiber rings at
cell sites and switching centers to keep the network running and
customers connected.
- Pre-arranging fuel deliveries, with tankers poised and in
position to quickly respond to hard-hit areas in case commercial
power is lost.
- Staging a fleet of portable emergency equipment that can be
deployed quickly to keep customers connected or restore damaged
connections as soon as possible.
- Adding a fleet of new satellite-equipped portable cell sites
and has secured dedicated satellite links for
connection.
- Preparing surveillance drones to help assess and respond to
damage after a storm.
- Communicating details about Verizon’s Public Safety Private
Core to support public safety, especially during times of high
data traffic.
- Setting up storm command centers in network facilities that are
built to withstand category 5 winds.
- Supporting first responders: When disaster strikes, our Verizon
Response team is available 24/7/365 and coordinates with first
responders. We can mobilize charging stations, devices, special
equipment, emergency vehicles and more to support local, state and
federal agencies across the US
What can you do to ensure you have personal
communications plan?
We encourage you to take these steps to stay connected during
the upcoming storm:
- Ensure all battery-powered devices are fully charged before the
storm hits. This includes wireless phones and smartphones, laptops,
tablets, DVD players, flashlights and radios.
- Program your smartphone to receive emergency alerts. Wireless
Emergency Alerts (WEAs) are free wireless notifications that are
delivered to your mobile device by local/national public safety
organizations.
- Maintain a list of emergency phone numbers and email addresses,
including police, fire and rescue agencies; power companies;
insurance providers; and family, friends and co-workers.
Program them into your phone, smartphone, tablet or laptop and also
have a hard copy handy and in some place easily accessible.
- Backup your information on Verizon Cloud: Verizon offers backup
assistance through the Verizon Cloud to store your phone’s address
book and contact information as well as pictures and other content
on a secure server.
- Download weather applications and alerts that provide users
with a variety of information such as radar images, forecasts and
severe storm warnings.
- Wireless devices can be a key source of information and
communication in the event of an emergency, so be sure to keep
phones, tablets, laptops, batteries, chargers and other equipment
in dry, accessible locations like re-sealable plastic bags, dry
bags or waterproof cases.
- In case of evacuation, make sure you know where your chargers
are, both wall and vehicle charging cords, and have portable
batteries fully charged and next to your device.
- Record video/take photos of your possessions in your residence
before severe weather hits.
How businesses and government organizations can prepare
and stay connected
It’s important for businesses and governments to prepare for
Tropical Storm Barry as well. We offer customers products and
services that can help disaster-proof their communications, helping
enable continuity in their operations. For example, our Mobile
Connectivity Trailer can create a wireless coverage area if
coverage is not available. We also offer wireless routers with
automatic fall over if the wired broadband connection is
disrupted.
We know that reliable communication before, during and after a
storm is critical for our customers to reach their loved ones and
the resources they need. We prepare year-round to meet that goal
and we are ready to keep you connected during Tropical Storm
Barry.
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), headquartered in
New York City, generated revenues of $130.9 billion in 2018. The
company operates America’s most reliable wireless network and the
nation’s premier all-fiber network, and delivers integrated
solutions to businesses worldwide. With brands like Yahoo,
TechCrunch and HuffPost, the company’s media group helps consumers
stay informed and entertained, communicate and transact, while
creating new ways for advertisers and partners to connect.
Verizon’s corporate responsibility prioritizes the environmental,
social and governance issues most relevant to its business and
impact to society.
VERIZON’S ONLINE MEDIA CENTER: News releases, stories, media
contacts and other resources are available at
www.verizon.com/about/news/. News releases are also available
through an RSS feed. To subscribe, visit
www.verizon.com/about/rss-feeds/.
Media contacts:Karen Schulz, National
Media864.561.1527Karen.Schulz@verizon.comTwitter: @VZWKarenS
Kate Jay, Local Media678.245.9532Kate.Jay@verizon.comTwitter:
@KateHarrisJay
Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2024 to May 2024
Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ)
Historical Stock Chart
From May 2023 to May 2024