Verizon readies for 2024 wildfire season

Year-round preparation, hardened network infrastructure and mobile assets support disaster response

IRVINE, Calif., April 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As Wildfire Awareness Month approaches in May, Verizon is committed to maintaining the safety and connectivity of communities, businesses, and first responders nationwide. With wildfires increasing in both number and severity - like in Maui last year and more recently in West Texas - the need for year-long, round-the-clock preparedness has never been more critical. Verizon's teams are leading the charge, employing advanced technology and thorough preparedness strategies to ensure we are ready to face any challenge.

Proactive network resilience and rapid response
Verizon’s network is engineered for resilience, with extensive redundancy measures and backup power solutions across critical sites to ensure seamless service. Our fleet of over 550 mobile assets, including drone and aerial technologies, stands at the ready to rapidly deploy and deliver essential services from the skies. This capability is complemented by our pioneering use of 200 satellite-based assets, ensuring reliable communication even when traditional infrastructures are compromised.

Empowering first responders with Verizon Frontline
The Verizon Frontline Crisis Response Team is poised to provide mission-critical communications support to public safety agencies nationwide. Composed primarily of former first responders and military personnel, this team offers immediate, emergency assistance to public safety agencies during crises, delivering Verizon Frontline solutions that help enhance communications capabilities during emergency response operations.

To help enable mission-critical voice and data service during fire mitigation efforts in locations across the country, the Verizon Frontline Crisis Response Team delivered close to 2,400 Verizon Frontline solutions to public safety agencies in 2023.

Last year alone, the Verizon Frontline Crisis Response Team responded to more than 200 requests for support from wildland firefighters battling blazes everywhere from Hawaii to Virginia.

Encouraging community preparedness
Verizon offers preparedness tips for consumers, from protecting personal devices to downloading essential safety apps. We also highlight the importance of business continuity planning, ensuring that organizations can maintain operations during wildfires. From SD-WAN to advanced security tools, Verizon Business equips businesses with the tools needed to maintain productivity amid disruptions.