Phones and mobile cell site aid firefighters near Trout Lake, Washington

Full Transparency

Our editorial transparency tool uses blockchain technology to permanently log all changes made to official releases after publication.

More of our content is being permanently logged via blockchain technology starting [10.23.2020].

Learn more

What:
When the United States Forestry Service called for wireless service back up, Verizon Wireless’ Significant Event Response Term (SERT) responded with additional cell phones and equipment that increased wireless coverage for emergency crews battling the Cold Springs fire.

The company deployed a temporary mobile cell site called a COLT (Cell on Light Truck) to the remote area. A COLT is a self-contained mobile cell site designed specifically for rapid and short-term network response. It enhances wireless coverage so that Verizon Wireless customers and emergency personnel can make more calls, send more messages and download information.

When:
A COLT mobile cell site, 50 wireless phones, and 20 wireless Internet access devices were dispatched on July 18, 2008.

Where:
Near Trout Lake, Washington for the Cold Springs fire in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.

Why:
Verizon Wireless deploys mobile cell sites -- or boosts the call-handling capacity of existing sites -- to enhance its network when there is a natural disaster or other unplanned event. In the past year, Verizon Wireless has deployed mobile cell sites and other equipment to more than a dozen wildfire incidents around the country. Additionally, the company has provided more than 750 wireless phones with service to aid public safety officials and others.

Network
Investment:

Verizon Wireless invested more than $106 million in its Washington network in 2007. The company’s ongoing network investment now totals more than $785 million in Washington and $45 billion nationally since the company was formed eight years ago.

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 many cell site locations.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 67.2 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 69,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, go to: 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.

####

Related Articles

02/15/2021

Virtual Reality (VR) has begun to transform medicine in profound ways. VR solutions are being used to train doctors and to plan and practice operations.

10/23/2020

Verizon’s military discounts site shows everything you need to know about Wireless offers, FiOS savings and military career opportunities, all in one place, making it simple for service members and veterans to discover what Verizon has to offer.