Verizon MERIT team completes annual Hazardous Materials Recertification
02 June 2022 - 11:00PM
For nearly 30 years, a specialized group of Verizon engineers
called MERIT – Major Emergency Response Incident Team – deploy when
necessary to protect Verizon’s network assets and facilities during
natural disasters or hazardous materials incidents. With hurricane
season here and wildfires affecting parts of the country, the
Verizon MERIT team recently completed their annual Hazardous
Materials Recertification training in Dallas.
Certifications like this support the company’s
network-as-a-service foundation and its core areas of growth and
innovation across mobility, nationwide broadband, mobile edge
compute and business solutions. “The MERIT team is just one example
of how Verizon runs into a crisis,” said Genia Wilbourn, Senior
Vice President of Global Network Operations & Assurance for
Verizon. “Combine the team’s recertification with our investment in
Florida and Texas, two states most frequently impacted by
hurricanes, and it perfectly demonstrates Verizon’s 24/7 commitment
to help ensure our customers are connected when they need it
most.”
Founded in 1993, the Verizon MERIT team is part of the Verizon
Response Team and includes more than 40 employees who are specially
trained and certified to enter areas affected by a hazardous
materials spill for critical network repairs. The Verizon Response
Team provides on-demand emergency assistance during crisis
situations to government agencies, emergency responders,
nonprofits, and communities on a 24/7 basis. Verizon Response Team
members set up portable cell sites, WiFi hotspots, free charging
stations, and other Verizon Frontline devices and solutions that
enable communications and/or boost network performance. The team
members have a wide variety of capabilities, including expertise in
wireless and wireline telecommunications network equipment such as
fiber-optic cables, switches, routers, hubs, transmission
equipment, customer premise equipment, wireless mobile assets,
radio networks, and critical infrastructure such as AC/DC power,
generators, and HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning)
systems. The team has been trained under Occupational Safety and
Health Administration (OSHA) and National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA) guidelines, the same certification guidelines
used by major fire department hazardous materials teams. MERIT team
members, who are also trained in emergency response management, and
actively expanding capabilities, are qualified to operate at the
highest operational protection level (Level A), which allows them
to enter a contaminated zone, wearing fully encapsulated hazmat
suits. The team uses multiple tools to detect more than 30
chemicals, biological and radiological contaminants. All team
members must complete an initial 80-hour training class and
approximately 100 hours of annual refresher training. They are also
trained in the Unified Incident Command System and receive annual
physical exams. As a self-contained hazmat team, MERIT participants
bring all necessary tools and equipment to the emergency scene with
them. Team members have custom-designed transport and support
vehicles that are fully loaded and ready to deploy immediately.
Additionally, the MERIT team has an onsite, climate-controlled
mobile command center with workspaces, a conference room,
communications equipment, TV monitors, external cameras, an
on-board generator, area lighting and a weather station. The team
also has hazmat equipment trucks with hazmat gear, communication
equipment and an on-board generator, as well as a utility truck
with remote camera systems, a breathing air compressor, and
additional communications equipment. The planning Verizon puts into
the network all year long is anchored in what is best for customers
and communities. Editor’s Note: We have b-roll,
pictures and additional information on our emergency response
equipment available at our Media Resource Center:
https://www.verizon.com/about/news/media-resourcesVerizon
Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) was formed on June 30, 2000
and is one of the world’s leading providers of technology and
communications services. Headquartered in New York City and with a
presence around the world, Verizon generated revenues of $133.6
billion in 2021. The company offers data, video and voice services
and solutions on its award-winning networks and platforms,
delivering on customers’ demand for mobility, reliable network
connectivity, security and control.
VERIZON’S ONLINE MEDIA CENTER: News releases, stories, media
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Media contact: Katie Magnotta
katie.magnotta@verizon.com
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