The Verizon Wireless network has been tested time and time again during natural disasters and other emergencies.
Verizon Wireless's ongoing network preparations helped the company provide service when customers needed it most. Following are testimonials from customers who have recently been affected by an emergency or first-responders who relied on the Verizon Wireless network to keep them connected following a hurricane, wildfire or other emergency.
Santa Barbara Wildfires, May 2009
“Communication is absolutely vital in times of disaster. Verizon Wireless has been wonderful in helping us out here at the shelter, and we really appreciate it in these times. Everyone’s looking for their loved ones and people have lost their chargers and things like that, and we really appreciate the help of Verizon Wireless.”
- Marisa Laurel Smith
American Red Cross
“My mother lives in Nebraska and has been calling all the time. That’s why it’s important to have it, she’s making sure that I’m ok. You know mothers. No matter how many times you tell them you’re fine, they still want to make sure you are absolutely fine.”
- Vidal Chiprez
Verizon Wireless Customer
Kentucky Ice Storm, January 2009
“[My Verizon Wireless phone] has been a lifeline because I have V CAST on it, so I’ve been able to check the weather, I’ve been able to stay up to date on what’s going on in the world with the news, and it has been wonderful. I love it; I love it.”
- Britt Wright
Owner – Hodges Outdoor Sports
Marion, KY
“(Verizon Wireless) gave us the ability to be able to communicate with one another and to be able to contact other department heads to coordinate our efforts with them, and I’m very appreciative for the assistance that Verizon Wireless gave us to accomplish that.”
- Sandy Josyln
Chief of Police
Paducah, KY
Hurricane Ike, September 2008
"Verizon Wireless was the only carrier working. We have other phones, but because Verizon Wireless was the only one working, even my wife wants to switch."
- Randy L
New Orleans, LA
"Reports from the coastal crews say that Verizon Wireless was the only service working in that area. No other system was getting calls through."
- Robert C
TV Reporter
Louisiana
"[The other wireless provider's] devices are down and we are conducting all of our business with our Verizon Wireless phones."
- Paul H
Government Transportation Official
Baton Rouge, LA
Iowa Floods, June 2008
“I’m not only just going to tell those in my friends in family, but everyone I come in contact with, ‘Hey, get yourself a Verizon phone.”
- Captain Terry Smith
Salvation Army
Johnson County
“We needed to deploy these laptops in places where we cannot hook them up to the Internet….and Verizon turned out to be an excellent resource
- Steve Irwin
Linn County Emergency Liaison
Serve the City
Hurricane Katrina, August 2005
"I am a victim of Hurricane Katrina. I want to commend you and Verizon Wireless for your outstanding service during this devastating tragedy here on the Mississippi Gulf Coast!! ...Verizon Wireless ~ Working for Victims of Hurricane Katrina!!
- Cheli Strumila
Gulfport, MS
"I want to thank you for the awesome service your company provided during Hurricane Katrina. Our family lives in Slidell. As the hurricane made landfall on Monday, it took out all the cell phone service for miles and we lost touch with our families and did not know how they fared.
By the time we got to Louisiana, Verizon Wireless service was working to within 12 miles of Slidell. I made contact with the families and was able to call my husband. It was a great relief for him to hear that we made it there safe and the families were all fine.
I know it must have been a lot of hard work and long hours for your workers to restore all that service, but we all truly appreciate all the effort!! The ability to make a call is something I will try not to take for granted in the future!!!
Patsy Bell
San Diego, CA
"Can You Hear Me Now? Yes we can! Thank you, thank you, thank you, I cannot say it properly or enough. I have to personally thank Verizon Wireless for their commitment to providing such widespread service that has somehow survived the worse natural disaster in American history. My family is in St. Tammany Parish (Covington area) and the only way they have fairly reliable (which is more than acceptable) ability to contact us is through Verizon Wireless."
Mona Hayes
Gulf Coast
