Verizon’s Southern California wildfire response

Rhea-AI Summary

Verizon has announced its response to multiple wildfires in Southern California, including the Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, and Woodley fires. The company is offering unlimited call/text/data services to customers in the hardest-hit areas and has deployed free Wi-Fi and charging stations at three community locations.

The company's network infrastructure includes backup power solutions and redundancy measures across critical sites. Verizon maintains a fleet of over 550 mobile assets and nearly 300 satellite-based assets ready for rapid deployment. The Verizon Frontline Crisis Response Team provided support to fire response operations, delivering nearly 2,000 solutions to fire camps across 14 states in 2024. The team responded to more than 1,500 requests from nearly 850 different agencies in 46 states throughout the year.

Positive

• Offering unlimited call/text/data services to affected customers
• Extensive network infrastructure with backup power solutions
• Large fleet of 550 mobile assets and 300 satellite-based assets for emergency response
• Strong emergency response track record with 1,500+ requests handled in 2024

Negative

• Service interruptions reported due to wildfire conditions and Public Safety Power Shutoffs

Verizon is offering community resources and stands ready to deploy mission-critical communications assets to keep Southern California communities connected amid the wildfires

Also waiving call/text/data charges for customers in hardest hit areas

IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The powerful windstorm in Southern California has sparked multiple fires, including the Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, and Woodley fires. In response, Verizon remains committed to maintaining the safety and connectivity of communities, businesses, and first responders in these areas and throughout Southern California. To support these communities, Verizon will be offering customers in the hardest hit areas unlimited call/text/data to help them focus on what matters most - ensuring the safety of their family. More details about this relief will be available in the coming days.

In addition, Verizon has deployed free Wi-Fi and charging stations for public use in several locations throughout the community:

• Westwood Recreation Center | 1350 S. Sepulveda, Los Angeles 90025
• El Camino Real Charter High School | 5440 Valley Circle Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA 91367
• Oxnard College | 4000 S Rose Avenue, Oxnard, CA 93033
  

“Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the devastating wildfires in Pacific Palisades, Pasadena, and surrounding areas,” said Steven Keller, Verizon’s Pacific Market President. “We understand how critical it is to stay connected during emergencies like these, and we are fully committed to supporting these communities, first responders, and our customers in every way possible. We stand with you in this challenging time and will continue working tirelessly to ensure reliable communication remains a lifeline for those in need.”

Wildfire conditions and Public Safety Power Shutoffs in the Los Angeles area have caused service interruptions for some customers. Our engineers are working quickly and safely, coordinating with local public agencies to coordinate support and mitigate impacts for those customers affected across the area.

Verizon’s network infrastructure includes extensive redundancy measures and backup power solutions across critical sites to ensure minimal service impacts. Its fleet of over 550 mobile assets, including drone and aerial technologies, is ready to rapidly deploy and deliver essential connectivity. This capability is complemented by Verizon’s use of nearly 300 satellite-based assets, ensuring reliable communication even when traditional infrastructures are compromised.

The Verizon Frontline Crisis Response Team continues its support of first responders on the front lines of fire response and containment operations across the nation, including the ongoing efforts in Southern California. In 2024, this highly-specialized team delivered nearly 2,000 Verizon Frontline solutions to fire camps in 14 states to help provide public safety agencies with mission-critical voice and data service as they battled wildfires. Overall in 2024, the Verizon Frontline Crisis Response Team responded to more than 1,500 such requests from nearly 850 different federal, state and local agencies in 46 states.

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.

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

Media contact:
Alexis Madrigal
alexis.madrigal@verizon.com

Lauren Peterson
lauren.peterson@verizon.com

FAQ

What emergency services is Verizon (VZ) providing during the Southern California wildfires?

Verizon is offering unlimited call/text/data services to customers in affected areas, deploying free Wi-Fi and charging stations at three community locations, and maintaining emergency response capabilities through mobile and satellite assets.

How many mobile assets does Verizon (VZ) have for emergency response?

Verizon maintains a fleet of over 550 mobile assets, including drone and aerial technologies, along with nearly 300 satellite-based assets for emergency response.

How many emergency response requests did Verizon (VZ) handle in 2024?

In 2024, Verizon's Frontline Crisis Response Team responded to more than 1,500 requests from nearly 850 different federal, state and local agencies across 46 states.

Which areas are affected by Verizon's (VZ) service interruptions in Southern California?

Service interruptions are affecting some customers in the Los Angeles area due to wildfire conditions and Public Safety Power Shutoffs.

Where has Verizon (VZ) set up free Wi-Fi and charging stations in Southern California?

Verizon has set up free Wi-Fi and charging stations at Westwood Recreation Center in Los Angeles, El Camino Real Charter High School in Woodland Hills, and Oxnard College in Oxnard.