Extreme weather events are becoming more common. Once considered a seasonal threat, wildfires now take place year-round, owing to rising temperatures and drier environments. We saw a devastating example of this phenomenon last month during the California wildfires, one of the most destructive natural disasters in U.S. history.
We’re seeing a similar pattern with hurricanes, which are increasing in both intensity and frequency, leading to a demand for more robust disaster preparedness and recovery strategies and advanced connectivity solutions.
Communications and connectivity are critical to emergency response and disaster recovery efforts. Following a large-scale natural disaster, first responders must coordinate with each other, members of the impacted communities, and other local, state and federal public safety agencies.
This is often done in real time under duress and with rapidly changing conditions. It stands to reason, then, that the majority of first responders (64%) prioritize access to a reliable and resilient network over all else for their emergency communications, according to the 2024 Verizon Frontline Public Safety Communications Survey.
A reliable network connection helps emergency response teams to convey critical, potentially life-saving information in a timely manner. This may include updates about shelter locations, evacuation routes, and emerging dangers, like flooding and damaged infrastructure.
A reliable and resilient network is the most valued feature for first responders. 65% consider it essential for daily communications, an increase from 51% in 2023. Similarly, 64% prioritize it for emergency response, up from 51% last year.
Portable satellite systems and mobile communication units are expected to become critical for public safety. 66% of respondents believe these assets will be an important or top priority in the future.
Cory Davis
Keeping citizens informed of rescue efforts is equally important, as it may prevent them from needlessly putting their lives in danger when sheltering in place may be the best option depending on conditions and rescue timelines. Additionally, a reliable network helps enable those responsible for emergency response operations to monitor relief efforts so that resources can be allocated appropriately.
The problem is hurricanes have a nasty habit of knocking down the infrastructure that provides network service. Hurricane winds may destroy cell towers, uproot trees, and topple utility poles that carry above-ground fiber-optic lines.
When it comes to extreme weather, the Verizon Frontline Team works year-round to help ensure our local partners are as prepared as possible ahead of time. That means shoring up infrastructure in the most vulnerable areas.
Disaster preparedness is the first step in ruggedizing connectivity. Unfortunately, fewer first responders feel equipped to handle a natural disaster now than they did last year.
Cory Davis
Only 12% feel “very prepared” from a tech standpoint if a natural disaster were to occur today, and less than half (48%) feel “somewhat prepared.” The combined 60% is down from 69% the previous year, according to the Verizon Frontline Public Safety Communications Survey.
Disaster preparedness is the first line of defense, but it’s not foolproof. Natural disasters generally don’t give you advance warning. These are highly unpredictable events with near-infinite variables and widespread impact.
Unforeseen events will take place, infrastructure will be damaged, and network service may experience disruptions. When this happens, our priority shifts to implementing measures to provide connectivity when and where first responders need it the most and when affected communities are at their most vulnerable.
When natural disasters impact network infrastructure, it’s time to get creative. Deployable assets are essential during large-scale network interruptions, providing interim connectivity in what can be hard-to-reach areas while the broader network service is restored. Deployable assets may include portable Wi-Fi hot spots, drone-based relays, mobile cell site towers, vehicle-mounted satellite solutions, and much, much more.
The top three concerns among first responders regarding communication technology are unreliable networks, lack of coverage, and interoperability issues.
Cory Davis
Outdated communication tools, a key concern in previous years, have dropped in priority.
But it’s not just about providing emergency network service. It’s about situational awareness. GPS tools, airborne drones, and real-time data sharing furnish first responders with good, timely intelligence so that they can react faster and more effectively. Drones can provide visibility into flooded areas and damaged infrastructure. IoT solutions, powered by high-capacity networks, can expedite damage assessment reports.
While not yet widely adopted, 50% of first responders believe artificial intelligence and smart technologies will be important or a top priority in the future. 23% identify enhanced situational awareness as the most significant benefit of AI-powered tools.
The frequency of extreme weather events necessitates hardened infrastructure and redundancy. To that end, Verizon’s network now includes generator back-up for nearly 80 percent of macro cell sites and switch facilities, and battery back-up for 100% of those sites.
We’ve also built redundant paths of fiber to all our macro cell sites and switch facilities. We even pre-arrange fuel deliveries when a major storm threatens to knock out commercial power.
We’ve also designed hardened “Super Switches” that can withstand Category 5 hurricane winds. Not only do these switch locations utilize tilt-wall block construction made of concrete and rebar, but they also include dual entrances for transport, adding yet another layer of redundancy.
Additionally, Super Switches boast dual on-site generators and HVAC N+1 redundancy. When hurricanes make landfall, these facilities can double as Emergency Operation Centers.
We’re seeing more destructive storms. As the Verizon Frontline survey showed, more first responders feel ill-equipped to deal with these extreme weather events. Collectively, we need to look at disaster preparedness in a new light.
The status quo no longer suffices.
Cory Davis
We must redouble efforts to strengthen infrastructure and deepen the relationships between all parties that combine to form disaster response and recovery.
At Verizon, we’ll continue to focus on reliability, redundancy and resiliency in our network. We’ll also continue to develop advanced connectivity solutions and innovative deployable assets that will be invaluable in providing immediate, real-time support when it is necessary. The more we plan and prepare now, the better off we’ll be when the next storm hits.
