Daily CSR

Verizon Boosts Disaster Response and Community Resilience

2026-09-07T14:50:00+02:00

As extreme weather and natural disasters continue to affect communities across the United States, the need for reliable communications and disaster preparedness has become increasingly important. Verizon is addressing this need through a combination of long-term investments in resilience and rapid-response assistance when emergencies occur. From specialized mobile connectivity resources and community funding to preparedness initiatives, Verizon is working to ensure help and connectivity are available when communities need them most.

Responding where help is needed

Verizon's approach to emergencies is built around the principle of moving quickly toward a crisis rather than away from it. The Verizon Frontline Crisis Response team works alongside first responders and emergency personnel, providing critical communications and connectivity through a range of specialized response resources.

After powerful storms affected Northwest Indiana, Verizon quickly deployed satellite communications equipment, 5G routers, and mobile devices to assist local emergency operations. The company is also helping customers affected by the Indiana outages by providing unlimited domestic talk, text, and data to eligible postpaid, small and medium-sized business, and prepaid customers through September 15.

In Hawaiʻi, Verizon sent specialized engineers from its Disaster Incident Response Team to assist technical crews following Hurricane Lala.

Verizon also positioned a variety of mobile resources in Spokane, Washington, including temporary cellular sites, portable generators, and satellite connectivity equipment. These assets were prepared to support rapid restoration efforts and help communities maintain communications during recovery.

Community Disaster Resilience vans make an impact

Verizon has expanded its Frontline response capabilities with Community Disaster Resilience (CDR) connectivity vans. These mobile units are designed to bring internet access, charging facilities, and essential emergency supplies directly to neighborhoods affected by disasters.

During the ongoing Hawk Wildfire in Reno, Nevada, one CDR van was stationed at the Reno Community Resource Center. The vehicle provided Wi-Fi, device charging, and printing services while also making essential supplies available to residents, including rechargeable LED flashlights, water, document-protection bags, and charging accessories.

Following severe storms across the Midwest, another CDR van assisted hundreds of displaced residents and shelter guests in Hobart and Gary, Indiana. The team provided bottled water, Wi-Fi access, and continuous charging for residents' electronic devices.

In Spokane, Washington, a CDR van supported the Spokane Disaster Assistance Center. Residents had access to secure charging lockers, tabletop charging stations, and public-use Chromebooks. Verizon teams also distributed emergency supplies such as flashlights, document dry bags, and N95 masks to help residents cope with deteriorating air quality.

Verizon's assistance in Spokane extended beyond the mobile van. The company supplied emergency charging kits to American Red Cross evacuation shelters and designated local Verizon retail locations as community charging centers.

When a tornado forced dozens of residents from their homes in Steger, Illinois, a CDR van was deployed directly to the shelter, bringing communications and charging infrastructure to those in need. Fay Kiaurakis, Director of the Louis Sherman Community Center, praised the assistance Verizon provided during the emergency:

“Your charging stations were a godsend; we were running out of outlets…There are not enough words for how grateful I am for…Verizon for coming to our aid. Thank you for sending the truck and [the team]. They are welcome here anytime and so is Verizon.”

Fay Kiaurakis
Director, Louis Sherman Community Center

In Menasha, Wisconsin, a CDR connectivity van was sent into storm-affected neighborhoods after severe weather disrupted local services. The vehicle offered high-speed emergency Wi-Fi and multi-device charging lockers, while Verizon teams distributed preparedness supplies such as LED flashlights and collapsible water bottles to help residents prepare for future emergencies.

Supporting disaster recovery through community investment

Verizon's disaster response extends beyond immediate field operations. The company is also providing financial assistance to nonprofit organizations working directly with people and communities affected by natural disasters.

Indiana: Verizon is providing $20,000 in emergency relief funding to two organizations supporting recovery efforts. The United Way of Northwest Indiana will receive $10,000 to help coordinate direct assistance for families rebuilding after the disaster. Another $10,000 is being provided to the American Red Cross Indiana Region to support shelters and emergency supplies.

Hawaiʻi: Building on its partnership with the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation during the 2023 Maui fires, Verizon is again working with the organization through its Stronger Hawaiʻi Fund. Verizon's $15,000 contribution will help strengthen statewide preparedness, emergency response, recovery, mitigation, and resilience efforts.

Washington: Verizon is contributing $25,000 to the Innovia Foundation's Spokane Complex Wildfire Response Fund. The funding is intended to address both immediate requirements and longer-term community needs resulting from the ongoing wildfires in the Spokane area.

West Virginia: Verizon has contributed $25,000 to the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce Foundation to help coordinate community resources and direct assistance. The company has also provided an additional $25,000 to the Tygart Valley United Way, working with the West Virginia University Center for Community Engagement to support the Lewis and Upshur Flood Fund and families in some of the state's hardest-hit counties.

Helping communities prepare before disaster strikes

Disaster response is only one part of Verizon's resilience strategy. During September's National Preparedness Month, the company is also encouraging communities to take steps to prepare before severe weather or other emergencies occur.

As part of its Community Disaster Resilience efforts, Verizon is once again helping residents prepare ahead of potential disasters. Select Verizon stores in California, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington will distribute free portable chargers to community members while supplies last.

The initiative also encourages residents to develop personal digital preparedness plans so they can maintain access to essential information and communications during an emergency.

By combining emergency response capabilities, community partnerships, financial support, and advance preparedness initiatives, Verizon is working to strengthen resilience before, during, and after natural disasters.

T-Mobile Launches T-Priority: Advanced 5G Solutions for First Responders and Public Safety

2024-09-26T15:37:00+02:00

First responders require the most sophisticated connectivity solutions available, and T-Mobile is committed to providing them. At T-Mobile's (NASDAQ: TMUS) Capital Markets Day, CEO Mike Sievert introduced T-Priority, a new service designed specifically for first responders to offer them exceptional support every day, especially during major emergencies. T-Priority features:

The world’s first network slice for first responders: Built on T-Mobile's 5G Standalone Core, this network slice guarantees lower latency and faster 5G speeds consistently, prioritizing first responders across all 5G bands, even during peak congestion.
Top-tier partnerships: T-Priority is supported by a comprehensive and expanding ecosystem tailored to the critical needs of first responders, featuring cutting-edge technologies from industry leaders like Motorola Solutions, Ericsson, and 3rd-Eye Technologies, Inc.
A dedicated emergency response team: T-Mobile’s emergency team is available around the clock to assist with disasters, public safety events, and more, enhancing capacity and coverage as needed. This includes deploying emergency vehicles and rapidly deployable technologies to support first responders and communities.

T-Mobile announced that the City of New York will serve as the initial customer for T-Priority, utilizing its partnership with T-Mobile’s extensive network to benefit city employees and enhance their access to innovative technologies.

“First responders risk their lives every day to protect our communities, and they need the most advanced connectivity solutions for their vital work,” stated Mike Sievert, T-Mobile's CEO. “With T-Priority, we are more dedicated than ever to serving those who serve us, providing a specialized 5G solution for agencies of all sizes nationwide. Our mission is to ensure first responders have a reliable 5G experience that evolves to meet their changing needs, supported by an award-winning assistance system when it matters most.”

“Our goal for the City of New York is to enhance safety and affordability for all residents, including our public servants,” said Matthew Fraser, New York City’s Chief Technology Officer. “Equipping our agencies and city employees with the latest technologies is essential to achieving this goal, and with T-Priority, we will continue to make progress.”

Connectivity Challenges for First Responders
First responders increasingly rely on cellular communications and data-heavy tools, such as drones and AR/VR, to better serve their communities. However, during emergencies, network congestion can jeopardize these critical communications. Cellular traffic often surges, necessitating a robust network performance with low latency and high speeds typical of 5G.

Current solutions struggle to meet the evolving demands of modern first responders. Consider network congestion akin to rush hour traffic: priority access can help, but once you're on the highway, slow traffic still hampers progress. A dedicated network can create an emergency lane, but that lane can still become congested, particularly with 4G. T-Priority addresses this issue.

T-Priority: A Forward-Thinking Solution for Emergencies
T-Priority is a groundbreaking solution designed to keep first responders connected in the era of 5G public safety. The first network slice specifically for first responders ensures optimal connectivity not only on regular days but also during peak congestion, supporting various data-heavy applications crucial to their daily operations.

Think of the slice as a traffic controller, always managing network traffic to guarantee that first responders receive the best possible service. It ensures lower latency and faster 5G speeds consistently, allocating up to five times the network resources compared to regular users.

The slice excels during rare, highly congested scenarios. For instance, during a large event like Mardi Gras in New Orleans, if emergency responders arrive to assist amidst a surge of live-streaming crowds, the slice prioritizes their communications above all others. As more first responders converge on the scene, the network functions as a dedicated resource for them, maintaining a minimum service level for all.

Key Features of T-Priority Include:

Priority access and preemption for voice and data on the nation's leading 5G network.
Average speeds that are 2.5 times faster than competitors for data-intensive communications.
40% more 5G capacity than other providers, ensuring more first responders remain connected.
Extensive 5G coverage, reaching 98% of Americans, with recent investments made to improve rural coverage.
Enhanced security through access to a dedicated security slice from T-Mobile SASE, protecting against cyber threats.

Exceptional Support for First Responder Agencies
T-Priority's new rate plans for first responders will launch later this year, available to state, local, and federal agencies, as well as businesses like utilities and transportation organizations that provide essential support during emergencies.

With T-Priority, T-Mobile's advanced 5G network is entirely focused on supporting first responders. This initiative represents a natural progression of T-Mobile's commitment to first responders, which began in 2020 with the launch of Connecting Heroes, a program that offers free, unlimited 5G service to small state and local agencies, as well as volunteer groups. Connecting Heroes will continue to ensure that agencies of all sizes have access to the leading 5G network, empowering them to serve and protect their communities effectively.

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