When disaster strikes, Verizon employees step up to help communities in need

Basking Ridge, NJ-For 26 years, Chad Myers has helped Verizon customers stay connected.

The Maryland native specializes in transport engineering and planning, managing the local networks that are essential for communities and businesses. Myers is one of thousands of V Teamers nationwide dedicated to maintaining critical infrastructure, but now he is taking that commitment to a whole new level.

Myers recently joined the Verizon Disaster Response Corps, a newly formed volunteer initiative that deploys trained Verizon employees to support the American Red Cross when it responds to communities hit by natural disasters.

Emergency response and community service are familiar territory for Myers. In 2012, shortly after moving to Baltimore, Myers saw a sign at a fire station seeking volunteers and signed up. Within two years he earned the title of lieutenant and now serves as captain of the station's 45 volunteer firefighters. An expert at providing critical assistance during a disaster, Myers sees the opportunity with the Verizon Disaster Response Corps as another way to help.

"At the fire department, our function is to put out the fire and try to save lives, property and the environment," Myers said. "And I've seen firsthand where the Red Cross will step in and help with housing, shelter, food, clothing, and things like that. I thought that this would be a great opportunity to bridge the gap between when I come into an emergency situation and helping somebody get their life picked back up and put back together."

Thousands of miles away, near Seattle, Michael Swanson felt a similar urge to step up. A 23-year Verizon veteran, Swanson works with retail teams throughout the West Coast as the Associate Director of Learning and Development. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, Swanson has seen firsthand the severe impacts natural disasters can have on local communities, from flooding in Skagit County to wildfires near his family's home.

So when the Verizon Disaster Response Corps was announced, Swanson knew he had to be a part of that team.

"The one thing I love about this company is we always run to a crisis," Swanson said. "Now I finally have an opportunity to be one of the people who runs to help out wherever I can and in whatever way I can."

Myers and Swanson are among 195 Verizon volunteers that are part of the first-of-its-kind partnership with the American Red Cross to train and deploy Verizon employees to aid in disaster-stricken areas. Supported by additional paid time off provided by Verizon during the deployments, Verizon volunteers will be sent to American Red Cross shelters to help welcome and register people, distribute hygiene kits, provide emotional support, manage dormitory areas and more.

"As we've seen following recent disasters across the country, people are relying on the Red Cross now more than ever," said Sara Huisking, Regional Disaster Officer, American Red Cross New Jersey. "Our disaster response relies heavily on having trained and dedicated volunteers ready to help at a moment's notice. We appreciate Verizon's support with relief efforts, and volunteer teams help ensure we can provide assistance and hope to those facing dark days."

For Swanson, taking action when others need it most is part of what he loves most about working at Verizon.

"When disaster strikes, we think about the people and the communities first," Swanson said. "We roll out there and we help them. If we have the means to connect people and bring them together, then we are willing to do whatever is in our power to make it happen. That instills pride."

"Not everybody has to have a go-bag available or be ready to jump on a plane, but the Verizon volunteer site has so many great opportunities that people can do from home. They can get involved, help out and get a little piece of living that part of the credo."

Backed by a resilient network, rapid-response frontline teams, and local and national partnerships, Verizon helps communities prepare for natural disasters, respond with urgency, and recover with resilience.

"Our networks keep communities connected during a crisis, but the heart of our resilience efforts is our people," Verizon Global Volunteerism and Giving Program Lead Arielle Kohr said. "The Disaster Response Corps empowers our employees to jump directly into recovery efforts alongside emergency responders. Launching it accelerates our long-term disaster resilience strategy while putting our culture of service into action."