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COVID-19 makes preparations for hurricane season even more critical

May 26, 2020 12:00 PM

Additional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements and virtualized command centers are being integrated into Verizon’s response plans

The Verizon Response Team (VRT) stands at the ready 24/7 365 days a year to support first responders

Individual communications plans for consumers, small businesses and enterprises are crucial with new shelter and transportation guidelines and virtual workforces

NEW YORK, May 26, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With first responders and healthcare workers deeply engaged in the COVID-19 response, restrictions on transportation, enterprise operations and personal mobility still in place in many communities, and usage on communications networks up dramatically, this year’s preparations for hurricane season are more important than ever.

“In crisis situations, communication is critical. We have experienced it most recently with COVID-19 when a spike in volume on our network demonstrated the importance of connecting with critical resources, colleagues, friends and family,” said Kyle Malady, Chief Technology Officer for Verizon. “Reliability is in our DNA and we prepare all year long for disasters. The strength, reliability and strong performance of our network has been very evident to our customers during the COVID-19 pandemic and our teams are heading into hurricane season with the same tireless dedication and commitment to reliable communications.”

Verizon is ready:

Verizon has made preparations to ensure the network is ready for storm season.

How you can prepare: Do you have a personal communications plan? The beginning of hurricane season is a great time to ensure you are ready for the season too. In an environment where COVID-19 remains a real concern, we may see more sheltering in place instead of evacuations this year, making communication even more critical.

We encourage you to take these steps to ensure your loved ones are ready to communicate during a storm.

Device preparation:

Know and back up your info:

Bookmark resources:

How businesses and government organizations can prepare and stay connectedBusinesses and governments know the importance of hurricane preparedness. This year, with so much of the workforce working remotely, contingency planning is even more critical. We offer customers products and services that can help disaster-proof communications and enable business continuity.

It’s also a good time to review readiness plans. Suggested steps for businesses and government organizations include:

This storm season is predicted to be an active one, and Verizon is crisis-ready and crisis-proven.

**Editor’s Note: To access images and b-roll of past storms, Verizon equipment, recovery efforts and more, please visit Verizon’s Emergency Resource Hub at https://www.verizon.com/about/news/emergency-resource-center

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) was formed on June 30, 2000 and is celebrating its 20th year as one of the world’s leading providers of communications, information and entertainment products and services. Headquartered in New York City and with a presence around the world, Verizon generated revenues of $130.9 billion in 2018. The company offers voice, data and video services and solutions on its award winning networks and platforms, delivering on customers’ demand for mobility, reliable network connectivity, security and control.

VERIZON’S ONLINE MEDIA CENTER: News releases, stories, media contacts and other resources are available at www.verizon.com/about/news/. News releases are also available through an RSS feed. To subscribe, visit www.verizon.com/about/rss-feeds/.

Media contact:Karen Schulz864.561.1527 [email protected]

Kate Jay678.339.4828[email protected]

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Source: Verizon Communications

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