2011 Hurricane Season officially set to begin tomorrow (June 1, 2011)

Press Release Source: Verizon Wireless On Tuesday May 31, 2011, 8:30 am EDT


ALPHARETTA, Ga., May 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- With the 2011 Hurricane Season officially set to begin tomorrow (June 1), Georgians should be preparing an emergency communication plan to keep their families safe and in touch.



Verizon Wireless, the nation's largest wireless carrier, offers these tips for storm season:





Keep phones, batteries, chargers and other equipment in a dry, accessible location. Consider waterproof accessories or simple zip-lock storage bags to protect devices.

Keep wireless phone batteries fully charged – in case local power is lost – well before warnings are issued.

Have additional charged batteries and car-charger adapters available for back-up power.

Maintain a list of emergency numbers – police and fire agencies; power and insurance companies; family, friends and co-workers; etc. – and program them into your phone.

Distribute wireless phone numbers to family members and friends.

Download from a wide variety of weather- and safety-related applications for smartphones, tablets and other devices. Many of these apps are free.

Use a service such as Backup Assistant, the free Verizon Wireless application that stores a phone's address book on a secure server in case the phone is lost or damaged.









Verizon Wireless also suggests the following actions once a storm is on the way:





Limit non-emergency calls to conserve battery power and free-up wireless networks for emergency agencies and operations. Send brief text messages rather than voice calls for the same reason.

Forward your home phone calls to your wireless number if you evacuate.

Check weather and news reports on wireless phone applications when power is out.









"We already have seen this spring what severe weather can do right here in Georgia," says Jeff Mango, president of Verizon Wireless' Georgia/Alabama Region. "We know that preparation, and the earlier the better, is important in staying safe and keeping the lines of communication with loved ones and emergency responders open."



Verizon Wireless, which operates the nation's fastest 4G network and largest and most reliable 3G network, has made numerous network enhancements over the past year. These include launching its most advanced 4G LTE (Long-Term Evolution) services in the Atlanta and Athens markets. Additionally, over the course of 2010 new cell towers and/or other network enhancements worth more than $190 million were activated in 279 Georgia cities. These initiatives are part of a network investment in Georgia totaling more than $1.8 billion since the company was formed in 2000. Nationally, the company has invested more than $65 billion to increase the coverage and capacity of its premier nationwide network, and to add new services.



In the aftermath of even the most devastating weather, the Verizon Wireless network in Georgia has remained strong while many other wireless communication networks struggled to serve emergency response officials and residents. Verizon Wireless' storm preparation includes:





Verizon Wireless is fully prepared to set up Wireless Emergency Communication Centers (WECCs) to serve residents and rescue agencies in the area(s) in the greatest need.

The company also has a fleet of Cells on Wheels (COWS) and Cells on Light Trucks (COLTS), and generators on trailers (GOaTS) that can be rolled into hard-hit locations.

Verizon Wireless pre-arranges fuel delivery to mobile units and generators to keep the network operating at full strength even if power is lost for an extended period of time.

Installation of advanced in-building systems to boost wireless coverage and services at hospitals, government and emergency facilities, high-traffic public venues and other locations throughout Georgia.

Verizon Wireless has a Communications Store on wheels ready to roll. The 35-foot trailer allows Verizon Wireless to maintain retail operations in areas when company stores are not able to open or when retail services are needed in areas where natural disaster strikes, enabling customers to purchase the wireless phones and accessories they need.

Southbound and Down

Another busy week is about to wrap up at Recon Independent Assessments.

Projects in Ft. Pierce, Port St. Lucie, Norfolk, and Orlando have kept us hopping.

ASTM E-1105, AAMA 502, AAMA 501.2 were provided to some very satisfied clients.

If you are seeking a qualified third party testing agency, call today 866-584-6868.

Next week: Georgia, Orlando, Jacksonville...

Where will you send us?

Building Envelope Consulting by Recon Independent Assessments

Test Early, Test Often, Pay Attention to Details

At Recon, we've watched a few projects come unhinged when testing results are not favorable.  Schedules get impacted, people get defensive and begin the blame game, reputations are tarnished...

Despite the common goal of delivering a watertight building envelope, sometimes the design intent gets lost in the shuffle of the many trades that have a part in it.  To avoid common pitfalls and to get the job done right the first time, a building envelope consultant can bring calm to the situation.

Recon provides full building envelope services.  From the roof down, we will set the expectations with trades, review plans and submitals and provide observation to help projects avoid mistakes that are costly.

The best airplane mechanic I know has a large banner on the wall of his hangar that reads "If we cant find the time to do it right the first time, how will we ever have time to do it again"

Let Recon Independent Assessments guide your next project by providing building envelope guidance and oversight.

Recon Independent Assessments is standing by to join your project team, call us today

1-866-584-6868

Field Testing More Than Windows, Storefront and Curtain Wall

Recon Independent Assessments often gets asked to provide testing services in the field that extend beyond the fenestration and glazing.  To meet that need, Florida Field
Testing was born.

From Field Roof Uplift to Ground Penetrating Radar FFT is capable of supporting your project. Visit their website for capabilities.

There is a lot going on these days between the two companies, keeping us hopping on and off airplanes and turning the odometer like a slot machine.  We're OK with it, we take it as a compliment and of course like the business.

That being said, we are always looking forward to the horizon to find another project.  If Recon Independent Assessments or Florida Field Testing can be of service, give us a call: 1-866-584-6868

Another Full Week Of Field Testing Using ASTM E 1105

Recon Independent Assessments is back in Florida after a rewarding week on the road providing water penetration testing using ASTM Standards to validate installed storefront systems and to diagnose water intrusion related issues on operable doors and windows.

Jacksonville and Tampa are on the schedule this week.  Field testing for water penetration resistance on several projects is on the to do list.

Additionally, sister company; Florida Field Testing, LLC is engaged on roof uplift testing as well as assisting in evaluating reinforced concrete for structural integrity.

All of the projects this week are the result of ongoing relationships or referals from them.  Recon Independent Assessments earns trust and delivers quality.  We believe that by doing so we are investing in our future.

If you've yet to work with us, call us at 866-584-6868 to review your project specific needs and to get a proposal of cost.