LT. GOVERNOR BRAD OWEN AND major general timothy lowenberg ISSUE STATEWIDE CALL TO “CONNECT FOR sAFETY”

Qwest donates free corded phones to the state of Washington

for first responders

OLYMPIA — Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen and Maj. Gen. Timothy J. Lowenberg, director, Washington Military Department, today announced that in an effort to better prepare first responders for emergencies, free corded phones will be available to more than 1000 first responders in Washington for home use.

Qwest is donating 1000 phones to the state of Washington to be given to fire chiefs, police chiefs and heads of the 65 emergency management divisions in the state as part of this increased preparedness effort – helping to ensure these people can be reached at home whenever the power goes down. 

“Washington has a strong and vibrant economy and part of keeping it that way is making sure we are prepared in emergencies and can execute our recovery plan,” said Lt. Governor Owen.  “Anything the state can do to help our first responders be better prepared will help our communities and businesses return to normal more quickly after an emergency.” 

Despite advancing technology, a landline and a corded phone that plugs into the wall is still the best bet when the power goes out.  Unlike cable and Internet phone service, a corded phone uses its own power source which runs through the phone line and does not rely on outside electrical power. 

“A solid communication infrastructure enables us to quickly respond to emergencies,” said Maj. Gen. Lowenberg.  “We must always continue to raise the bar in preparedness, and public-private partnerships like the one between the Department of Emergency Management and Qwest is an example of what can be accomplished on behalf of the public good.”

Washington residents can also pick up free corded phones at Qwest “Connect for Safety” events that will be held across the state while supplies last.  The first “Connect for Safety” event will be held at the Seattle Home Show Saturday, February 17, 2007 at the Qwest Field Event Center, 1000 Occidental Ave South in Seattle.  A list of additional events can be found at www.connectforsafety.com. 

“Qwest is committed to providing a reliable network to support the communications infrastructure of this state,” said Kirk Nelson, president Qwest Washington.  “While hundreds of thousands of Washington residents were without power during our December storm, the Qwest network held up so that families could stay in touch, neighbors could check in on each other and businesses could keep working.”

Recognizing his father's commitment to economic development, Qwest employee Adam Owen of Puyallup, the Lt. Governor’s son, suggested the "Connect for Safety" campaign to his dad.   

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MEDIA CONTACTS:

Brian Dirks, Office of the Lieutenant Governor, dirks.brian@leg.wa.gov, (360) 786-7707
Maj. Phil Osterli, public affairs officer, Philip.osterli@us.army.mil, (253) 512-8481