Preventive Maintenance and Training to Keep Customers, Communities and Employees Safe
ROSEVILLE, Calif. – May 26, 2020 – Consolidated Communications (NASDAQ: CNSL) is preparing to keep Northern California communities connected throughout the region’s extreme summer heat and increasing wildfire risks.
Consolidated Communications maintains an extensive fiber-optic network that provides broadband services to homes and businesses in greater Sacramento. Protecting the Company’s fiber network is a top priority, especially as much of the region is relying on broadband connectivity during the Coronavirus pandemic. These cables carry little to no electrical charge, thus little risk of causing a fire. However, they can be damaged by extreme heat and fire, causing interruptions to local broadband and telephone service. Following a dry winter, wildfires have already increased by 60 percent so far in 2020.
“Now more than ever, our communities are relying on Consolidated to keep them connected,” said Ron Fischer, senior director of operations for the Pacific region. “We plan and prepare for a wide range of possible risks and disasters. Our top priorities are the safety of our employees and maintaining broadband services for our customers.”
Starting in early spring, Consolidated field technicians regularly trim vegetation and brush away from all equipment sites. Fiber lines are inspected frequently for potential risk, especially in rural areas that are susceptible to brush fires. Throughout the course of business, all crews are on high alert, reporting any potential hazards for swift remedy. Technicians also maintain grounds around company parking lots to reduce risk of combustion from exhaust systems.
Consolidated maintains practices and policies to protect the health and safety of employees, and takes measures to prevent extreme heat injuries. All employees are trained annually on treating and identifying early signs of dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Technicians carry additional water during the summer months and are instructed to use on-board air conditioning in their vehicles. Additionally, field employees are not permitted to work in customers’ attics if outside temperatures exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Service calls requiring attic work during high temperatures will be rescheduled.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, customers are reminded that additional safety measures may be in place. More information on Consolidated’s wildfire and emergency preparedness plan is available on its website at http://www.consolidated.com/prepare.
Residents are urged to stay safe during summer home improvement projects by calling 811 or visiting https://usanorth811.org/ before digging on their property. At no cost to the resident, a utility worker will mark where gas lines, power, phone and fiber cables are located. This simple precaution can protect customers from injury, damage, financial liability and service interruptions.
About Consolidated Communications
Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: CNSL) is a leading broadband and business communications provider serving consumers, businesses, and wireless and wireline carriers across rural and metro communities and a 23-state service area. Leveraging an advanced fiber network spanning 37,750 fiber route miles, Consolidated Communications is a top-10 fiber provider in the U.S. offering a wide range of communications solutions, including: high-speed Internet, data, phone, security, managed services, cloud services and wholesale, carrier solutions. From our first connection 125 years ago, Consolidated is dedicated to turning technology into solutions, connecting people and enriching how they work and live. Visit www.consolidated.com for more information.