By ANDREA FAST
Senior Communications Specialist, Frontier Communications

Frontier Communications teams across the country are preparing for possible severe tornados throughout the spring and early summer months. Their preparations include:

• Equipping fleet vehicles with extra fuel, fluids and lighting;
• Double-checking all safety equipment and supplies used by field technicians;
• Placing emergency network supplies throughout company facilities; and
• Stocking supplies needed for network restoral.

The company reminds customers and others to stay far away from any downed cables or power lines. Contact Frontier at 800-921-8102 (business) or 800-921-8101 (residential) to report any fallen telephone poles or cables.

There are several ways to help you communicate in the event commercial power is lost, such as:

• Consider plugging a corded phone directly into the wall, if you normally rely on cordless phone. In the event of a power outage corded phones will still operate; cordless phones (e.g. VoIP) will not. If commercial power is unavailable, generators and batteries in Frontier’s central offices serve as a backup. Phone lines generally have enough power to allow a corded phone to function. Best Practice: Do not use phones during the actual storm.
• Understand that customers’ voicemail boxes are protected within Frontier’s network and will continue to operate despite a power loss.
• Charge wireless devices such as cell phones, laptops and tablets in advance of the severe weather.
• Create an emergency supply kit that includes food, water and money.
• Create a communications plan that includes all needed contact numbers.
• Create and practice emergency evacuation plans.

Frontier believes it’s important for the communities it serves to know the company updates its emergency response efforts on a continual basis, reviews lessons learned from prior incidents, and is prepared for potential natural disasters and other emergencies that may be ahead.

“We know how critical our network is for public safety and the well-being of our customers,” said Dan Sullivan, Area General Manager for Indiana. “Our teams work very hard to prepare for severe weather, and we are here for our customers after the storm to restore service as quickly and safely as possible.”

Sullivan added, “Whether Mother Nature wreaks havoc or some other entity causes disaster, our crisis communication and emergency response plans, and our people are ready to help.”