Wireless Company Urges Customers To Prepare As Well
MOBILE, Ala. - September 13, 2004 - Residents of coastal Alabama, Florida and Mississippi are urged to charge their wireless phone batteries and keep their phones close at hand as they prepare for the arrival of Hurricane Ivan. According to wireless provider Cellular South's Emergency Task Force, a wireless phone, back-up battery and vehicle charger are recommended as part of all emergency preparedness kits.
"During hurricane season, we advise Coastal residents to have a charged back-up phone battery on hand, to share their wireless number with those who may need to reach them quickly during an emergency and to program emergency numbers and the wireless numbers of neighbors, family and friends into their phone's address book," said Noel Coward, Cellular South area manager and the company's Emergency Task Force coordinator for Coastal Alabama and the Florida Panhandle. "Our wireless customers can also use their cell phones to send and receive information through text messaging."
Wireless service typically is a reliable communication source during disasters. Cellular South's wireless network was designed with redundancy in mind, because CDMA 1X technology is suited to handle extra capacity if a cell site happens to be damaged. All of Cellular South's towers are supported by back-up generators to increase chances of continuous service during storm-related power outages. In addition, Cellular South provides COWS (Cell Sites on Wheels) and COLTS (Cells on Light Trucks) to accommodate increased call volume and maintain wireless coverage in disaster areas. The company has set up additional network staffing support this week, to supplement its year-round 24-hour monitoring of its network operations.
"Cell phones are a vital means of communication during emergencies," Coward said. "Families who are evacuating have the reassurance of knowing their wireless phones go wherever they go, and of course, that same mobility is vitally important for emergency management officials and relief workers."
Wireless companies are well suited to support emergency response personnel and relief agencies by donating phones and providing priority service on an emergency voice channel. In preparation for Hurricane Ivan's expected landfall, Cellular South is providing wireless phones and service to the American Red Cross and other disaster relief agencies as needed.
"We are fully prepared for the impact of Hurricane Ivan, based on our 16 years of experience in maintaining service for our customers and being a responsive, dependable partner to disaster relief agencies during times of crisis," said Coward.
Hurricane Preparation & Response: Wireless Communication Tips
- Charge your battery and keep a back-up battery on hand as well. A vehicle charger is a good option to have in case of an extended power outage in your home.
- Program emergency numbers and the wireless numbers of neighbors, family and friends into your phone's address book.
- Give your contact information to those who may need it, including neighbors, family and friends.
- Make voice calls only when necessary. Limiting your personal calls leaves wireless networks open for 9-1-1 callers and emergency responders.
- Send a text message rather than placing a voice call. Text messages are a fast, efficient way to communicate during an emergency.
Source: Cellular South
About Cellular South
The company is one of the largest privately held wireless providers in the U.S. and is licensed to provide wireless service - to a total population of more than five million people - on its network stretching from the Memphis Metropolitan Area, throughout all of Mississippi, along Coastal Alabama and the Florida Panhandle through Destin/Seaside. Cellular South offers nationwide coverage on a variety of rate plans including unlimited calling and free incoming calls. For more information, contact Cellular South at 1-877-CSOUTH1 or visit cellularsouth.com.
Contact:
Tanya Rankin, (601) 974-7134, trankin@cellularsouth.com
