Verizon Frontline, Milwaukee PD partner to help ensure public safety during major political event

Rhea-AI Summary

Verizon Frontline's Crisis Response Team recently supported the Milwaukee Police Department during the Republican National Convention, providing over 900 solutions including smartphones and deployable communications assets. The team's 18-month preparation involved collaboration with local, state, and federal agencies to ensure first responders had critical communications capabilities.

Key highlights:

• 725 Verizon Frontline solutions helped develop a Common Operational Picture (COP)
• Utilized 5G smartphones, Verizon network, and Team Awareness Kit (TAK) application
• Verizon Frontline is the primary wireless partner for Milwaukee PD
• Similar support provided for Democratic National Convention in Chicago
• Verizon Frontline Crisis Response Team offers 24/7 emergency assistance at no cost to agencies

Positive

• Provided over 900 Verizon Frontline solutions to Milwaukee Police Department
• Helped develop a Common Operational Picture (COP) using 725 solutions
• Strengthened partnership with Milwaukee Police Department as primary wireless provider
• Offered 24/7 emergency assistance at no cost to supported agencies
• Demonstrated capability to support large-scale events like national political conventions

Negative

• None.

MILWAUKEE, Sept. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Verizon Frontline Crisis Response Team recently completed a deployment in support of the Milwaukee Police Department, one of the lead agencies responsible for coordination of all public safety activity during the Republican National Convention.

The Verizon Frontline Crisis Response Team’s preparations for this event started more than 18 months ago and required close collaboration with local, state and federal public safety agencies to identify the unique needs of the supported agencies and match the right Verizon Frontline solutions to these needs. This partnership helped ensure that first responders had the mission-critical communications capabilities they needed as they worked to ensure the safety of Milwaukee’s residents and the thousands of visitors in the city for the event.

At the request of the Milwaukee Police Department, the Verizon Frontline Crisis Response Team delivered more than 900 Verizon Frontline solutions ranging from smartphones loaded with public safety-specific applications to deployable communications assets like Satellite Picocells on Trailers (SPOTs).

The Milwaukee Police Department used a network of 725 of these solutions to help develop a Common Operational Picture (COP) during the convention. A COP is a single, relevant display of operational information shared by multiple agencies. The Milwaukee Police were able to do this using Verizon Frontline-provided 5G smartphones, the Verizon network and a Team Awareness Kit (TAK) application. This app shows the exact location and names of the thousands of officers involved in an operation of this scale and enables them each to share pictures, reports, drone locations, and more, all on one map.

The partnership during the convention represents a continuation of the strong relationship between Verizon Frontline and the Milwaukee Police Department. Verizon Frontline serves as the primary wireless partner for the department, responsible for squad car connectivity and a total of more than 800 voice and data lines in service.

The Verizon Frontline Crisis Response Team also provided support to the public safety agencies tasked with ensuring public safety during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

“For more than three decades we’ve worked with public safety agencies like the Milwaukee Police Department to ensure they have the mission-critical communications capabilities they need to achieve their missions,” said Russ Anderson, senior director of sales for Verizon Public Sector's central region. “The work of the Verizon Frontline Crisis Response Team in Milwaukee recently is just another example of how we go above and beyond to support our partners on the front lines.”

The Verizon Frontline Crisis Response Team is able to provide on-demand, emergency assistance during crisis situations to government agencies and first responders, on a 24/7 basis at no cost to the supported agencies. Verizon Frontline Crisis Response Team members set up portable cell sites, WiFi hotspots, free charging stations and other Verizon Frontline devices and solutions that enable communications and/or boost network performance.

Verizon Frontline is the advanced network and technology built for first responders – developed over three decades of partnership with public safety officials and agencies on the front lines – to meet their unique and evolving needs.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) powers and empowers how its millions of customers live, work and play, delivering on their demand for mobility, reliable network connectivity and security. Headquartered in New York City, serving countries worldwide and nearly all of the Fortune 500, Verizon generated revenues of $134.0 billion in 2023. Verizon’s world-class team never stops innovating to meet customers where they are today and equip them for the needs of tomorrow. For more, visit verizon.com or find a retail location at verizon.com/stores.

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Media contact:
Eric Durie
eric.durie@verizon.com
516-382-8219

FAQ

What support did Verizon Frontline provide for the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee?

Verizon Frontline provided over 900 solutions, including smartphones and deployable communications assets, to support the Milwaukee Police Department during the Republican National Convention. They helped develop a Common Operational Picture using 725 solutions, enabling efficient communication and coordination among first responders.

How long did Verizon Frontline (VZ) prepare for the Republican National Convention support?

Verizon Frontline's preparations for the Republican National Convention support started more than 18 months before the event. This involved close collaboration with local, state, and federal public safety agencies to identify and meet their unique needs.

What is the Verizon Frontline Crisis Response Team's role in emergency situations?

The Verizon Frontline Crisis Response Team provides on-demand, emergency assistance during crisis situations to government agencies and first responders. They offer 24/7 support at no cost, setting up portable cell sites, WiFi hotspots, free charging stations, and other solutions to enable communications and boost network performance.

How did Verizon Frontline (VZ) support the Common Operational Picture during the convention?

Verizon Frontline supported the Common Operational Picture by providing 725 solutions, including 5G smartphones with the Team Awareness Kit (TAK) application. This enabled the Milwaukee Police Department to display operational information shared by multiple agencies, showing the location and names of officers and allowing them to share pictures, reports, and drone locations on a single map.