Verizon Makes Changes as Lawmakers Decry Firefighters' Woes

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A nationwide telecommunications company rolled out changes Friday as state lawmakers said they were outraged to learn that Verizon slowed Northern California firefighters' internet service while they battled what became the state's largest-ever wildfire. Verizon said it removed all speed cap restrictions for emergency workers fighting wildfires on the West Coast and for those in Hawaii, where emergency crews were rescuing people Friday from areas flooded by Hurricane Lane. The company promised to lift restrictions on public safety customers and provide full network access when other disasters arise. The announcement came hours before the state Assembly Select Committee on Natural Disaster, Response, Recovery, and Rebuilding held an informational hearing on the incident. Lawmakers are angered by the incident and committed to making it sure it never happens again, said Democratic Assemblyman Marc Levine of San Rafael. The goal is to determine "how we ensure that all public safety has the tools they need in some of our hardest moments in California's history battling these natural disasters," added Democratic Assemblywoman Monique Limon of Santa Barbara. "These are becoming regrettably the norm in our state and as they become the norm we also change how we think about policies." The Santa Clara County Fire Department says Verizon slowed its internet communications at a wildfire command center three weeks ago, crippling the emergenc...
Source: JEMS: Journal of Emergency Medical Services News - Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Tags: Major Incidents News Communications & Dispatch Source Type: news