Verizon Uses Solar-Powered Network Equipment for Firefighters Battling California’s Largest Wildfire

 

On August 20^th, Verizon Wireless responded to a request from local authorities in Walnut Creek, California to provide additional network coverage to support the emergency personnel battling the Rim Fire near Yosemite National Park.

“Boosting coverage and capacity to existing cell sites in the area also enhances wireless coverage so that emergency response teams and other Verizon Wireless customers can make more calls and send more data transmissions faster,” Verizon said in a press release.

Verizon also provided wireless phones and mobile broadband Jetpacks to the fire command crews to enhance voice and data communications. In2012, Verizon Wireles invested $641 million in California to provide new wireless services, expanding network coverage and capacity for customers across the state.

As of Sunday evening, the fire had burned 224 square miles and it remained only 7 percent contained. There are approximately 2,850 firefighters from the U.S. Forest Service, California Fire and many local agencies battling California’s largest wildfire this past weekend.