Additional Wireless Phones And Data Devices Delivered To Support Emergency Teams Working Near Fourmile Canyon Fire

What:
Verizon Wireless responded to a request from the Boulder Emergency Operations Center for 18 cell phones, eight wireless data cards and other mobile data devices to support emergency and other personnel working near the Fourmile Canyon Fire. Earlier this week, the company provided 50 activated emergency cell phones to the Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team at its command center.

The fire, which broke out Monday, has driven thousands of residents from their homes and continues to threaten more homes and property northwest of Boulder.

When:
Thursday, September 9 – Dispatched 18 fully-activated wireless phones, eight mobile data cards, six MiFi mobile hot spot devices and several portable netbooks.

Where:
Boulder Emergency Operations Center

Why:
The wireless phones and data devices will be used by City and County of Boulder personnel for logistical responsibilities during the fire and for the work that needs to be done once the fire is extinguished.

Network Investment:
Verizon Wireless invested more than $109 million in its Colorado network in 2009. The company’s ongoing network investment now totals more than $900 million in Colorado and $60 billion nationally since its inception in 2000.

Retail Store:
Verizon Wireless’ Twenty-Ninth Street store in Boulder established a free mobile charging station this week, added extra staff and increased its inventory of phone and device chargers.

Reliability:
In addition to its fleet of mobile equipment, Verizon Wireless’ reputation as the nation’s most reliable network is supported by industry-leading redundancy and maintenance measures. This has proven particularly valuable during natural disasters and other emergencies across the country.

Standard Verizon Wireless network-reliability features include battery back-up power at all facilities as well as generators installed at all switching facilities and most cell sites.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable and largest wireless voice and 3G data network, serving more than 92 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 79,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

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