Fireline communications. Why didn't Verizon just hand out G* phones? Or did they? Or did someone else? I keep seeing the endless situations when G* phones are the ideal solution to a problem and find comfort in the fact that nobody seemed to think of that possibility. I understand second hand the radio ads are being run in Bozeman for globalstar.
Wednesday August 16, 11:37 am Eastern Time
Press Release
SOURCE: Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless Builds Temporary Cell Site to Aid Emergency Communications In Montana
MISSOULA, Mont., Aug. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- With wild fires raging across the state, the U.S. Forest Service in Missoula has requested help from Verizon Wireless to increase call capacity on its wireless network in the southern Bitterroot Valley. In response, Verizon Wireless flew in equipment from as far away as Los Angeles to construct a temporary cell site that was put into service last weekend.
When the request was made for increased wireless capacity, call volumes in the Missoula and Bitterroot Valley areas were up to 50 percent higher than normal. In two and a half days, Verizon Wireless crews were able to install the temporary cell site, a task that would normally take 2 - 3 weeks. The temporary site provides coverage from Lockout Pass to Darby, an area that includes the U.S. Forest Service fire camp at Sula Peak.
``Our network engineers continue to monitor call volumes and system performance to make additional enhancements as necessary,'' said Marni Walden, president for Verizon Wireless in the Mountain region. ``In fact, today we have installed additional radios to the temporary Darby site to further accommodate the increased call volumes.''
However, even with these emergency upgrades to the western Montana wireless network, call volumes are still very high and Verizon Wireless is asking its customers to limit all non-emergency calls until the fires are contained.
In addition to enhancing its call capacity, Verizon Wireless provided space in its Ravenna cell site to house 911 and other emergency communication equipment when the county sheriff's communication site burned.
The Verizon Wireless Significant Event Response Team (SERT) and local Verizon Wireless employees are working with both state and federal government agencies, in addition to the Red Cross to provide more than 200 wireless phones to firefighters and other emergency management personnel. |
