CellularOne helps firefighters control Locust fire
CellularOne helps firefighters control Locust fire
13 May 2011
published by www.wmicentral.com
USA — Communication is vital in times of emergency.
This was never more evident than when the men and women of the Eastern Arizona Type 2 firefighting team set out to bring the recent Locust fire in the White Mountains under control. As the flames raged through the Fort Apache Indian Reservation, firefighters found that the only cell phone signal that worked to enable their team to keep in contact was the CellularOne network.
Upon contacting CellularOne with news of the blaze, executives of the company immediately set to work to deliver 40 cellular phones to the firefighters to enable them to maintain their communications and suppress the spread of the fire.
We feel a responsibility to support the community that we serve and are proud to do our small part to help with the containment of this fire, said Judd Hinkle, CellularOnes new Chief Operations Officer.
CellularOne sent the 40 phones with airtime and long distance to Fire Operations and Division Supervisor Randall Chavez to use in coordinating his teams brave efforts.
We are so appreciative of CellularOnes participation with defeating the Locust fire. It means a great deal to the community that we are able to work together so closely like this in times of need, said Mr. Chavez.
Chavez added that CellularOne always seems to come through.
CellularOne also donated communication devices nine years ago for the Rodeo-Chediski fire.
The Locust fire, which started May 6, burned 364 acres within the Fort Apache Indian Reservation as of Tuesday morning. The wildfire has also threatened neighborhoods in Knots Landing, Rainbow City and Over the Rainbow subdivisions. It is 59 percent contained as of Tuesday morning.
Founded in 1994 in Show Low, Cellular One has grown from five employees and 1,200 customers to over 180 employees and 100,000 subscribers.
Cellular One has gained market share in the last 15 years, providing millions of dollars in service and equipment upgrades, including expanded coverage throughout northern Arizona, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico. Cellular One main headquarters are located at 1500 S. White Mountain Road, Suite 103, Show Low.
