T-Mobile’s Emergency Response Team (ERT) responds to critical incidents and major events on a regular basis.
Casey Muilenburg, the T-Mobile ERT member responsible for FEMA Regions 9 (CA, NV, AZ) and 10 (WA, OR, ID) agreed to provide some insight to ERT capabilities. Casey has been an ERT member for ten years and holds multiple FEMA and ICS certifications.
Q: What is the core mission of the ERT?
A: To provide critical communications to help enable resilient communities around the nation.
Q: What types of incidents does the ERT respond to?
A: We’ve done hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes, super bowls, even presidential events. Whether it’s a disaster or something planned, we want to be a company that provides the best communication solutions along with redundant and resilient services to customers nationwide. And we try to consider other needs like coverage for people at a shelter.
Q: What about EMS services?
A: EMS is affected by almost every type of incident we respond to. We frequently support EMS agencies by providing cellular and data to enable chat services, operational management, and patient tracking software.
Q: What capabilities do you have?
A: T-Mobile’s ERT has a wide range of equipment and temporary infrastructure solutions that allow us to tackle the toughest situations. Assets are staged throughout the US for quick response.
Q: How does an agency request assistance?
A: 24/7 ERT Hotline: 888-639-0020 and ERTeam@T-Mobile.com
Q: Can you share a memorable response?
A: The McKenzie Fire in Oregon where the coordination between federal, state, local, and industry was just incredible. We set up a cellular bubble, established Wi-Fi, and provided handsets, including many for a medical facility. Schools were already struggling because of COVID-19, and a local hotel opened its lobby for kids to use the Wi-Fi. It was a powerful example of how we could come together to support the community.
Q: You feel strongly about your work, don’t you?
A: To communicate with someone thousands of miles away and share experiences - it’s one of the greatest developments in our lifetime. When people can’t communicate, they feel lost. For ERT to come in and provide that temporary solution until the network is back online, it’s a great opportunity to serve.