LOS ANGELES, July 21, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- MEDIA ADVISORY --
Date: July 21, 2003
What: Deployment of Mobile Cell Phone Station to Coyote Canyon
Fire Base Camp.
Why: Allows cellular phones to work in remote fire area where
there is no existing service, permitting firefighters,
police, Red Cross, volunteers, residents, to be in
contact with others throughout stricken area.
How: Cell on Wheels (COW), which looks much like TV news
microwave vans, is dispatched from Irvine, Calif. to
scene of fire. Anyone with Verizon Wireless phones can
access the portable cell site and/or repeater.
Equipment: Additional cell phones are loaned by VZW to
firefighters, others for use to battle blaze, contact
other officials in nearby cities, request mutual aid
assistance, contact homeowners, contact relatives of
firefighters.
Photo Op:
-- Van at base camp.
-- Firefighters using cell phones as they battle flames.
-- Command staff using cell phones.
-- Residents using cell phones of their own, or loaned
to them by Verizon Wireless.