LOS ANGELES, July 22, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- MEDIA REMINDER --
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.