A week before Hurricane Ian ravaged Fort Meyers and surrounding areas of Florida, AT&T sent in about 500 volunteers with equipment to prep for the incoming natural disaster.
The volunteer group is known as the Network Disaster Recovery team, a group of AT&T employees who volunteer to set up emergency internet service to help first responders communicate with other first responders and with people who need help. AT&T has invested more than $600 million in the program since its inception in 1991.
“If you’re stuck on a roof but don’t have service, you can’t call anyone to tell them you need help,” said AT&T’s network lead Chris Sambar.
