Qwest Reacts Quickly to Assist Fighters of Western Wildfires

In its Thursday press release, Qwest reported what it has done, and continues to do, to assist the U.S. Forest Service and the firefighters on the front lines in the fight against several wildfires in the West.

On July 19, the Salt Creek fire started near Nephi, Utah. With hundreds of firefighters from numerous federal and local agencies on the front lines, U.S. Forest Service Communications Leader Mike Shipley called Qwest for help. Shipley said he "called Qwest on Sunday morning and told them I had an emergency. By that evening, I had 24 phone lines installed. Qwest reacted very quickly." Qwest provided the communications infrastructure, including voice and data services that helped coordinate the firefighting efforts. Because of Qwest's assistance, the media and the public were also kept abreast of the fire containment progress and any concerns along the way.

Almost three weeks later, Qwest responded to a request to assist with the Box Elder Canyon fire near Rapid City, S.D., where the company supplied support to the U.S. Forest Service by setting up a command center with 25 lines at a local high school.

Bob Tregemba is the executive vice president of network operations for Qwest. In the press release he said: "Wildfires are something we have to deal with throughout the West. Qwest has extensive experience helping in the response to natural disasters and emergency situations across the country, such as fires, floods, blizzards and hurricanes. We help not only with emergencies spurred by Mother Nature, but we also have extensive services available to businesses in the event they are ever stricken with an emergency. Qwest's Spirit of Service means we can react quickly and help customers of any kind get their communications infrastructure up and running."

Qwest doesn't limit its assistance to just communication networks during wildfires or other natural disasters. The company also deploys crews to do what's necessary to protect the command centers and network or communication equipment. When in the area of wildfires, crews will remove brush and any other combustible material that could put equipment or other Qwest property in danger. Inspection of back-up generators, batteries and ventilation systems is done to be certain they're available and in ready-to-go mode in the event of commercial power loss. In instances where a wildfire is directly threatening, Qwest is prepared to build temporary structures and put down fire protection foam and fiberglass wraps, doing everything possible to protect buildings and equipment so that critical communications services remain uninterrupted.

In addition to emergency communications assistance, Qwest has also been involved in providing funds and supplies to The Salvation Army in that agency's response to wildfires, particularly in Colorado.

Source:

Press release, U.S. Forest Service Relies on Qwest to Support Wildfire Fighting Efforts; http://www.qwest.com/about/media/pressroom/1,1281,2161_archive,00.html