Assemblyman Goldfeder and Community Leaders Meet with AT&T to Discuss Disaster Preparedness

Rockaway, Queens—One of the nation’s leading wireless carriers, AT&T, recently met with Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder and community leaders representing Southern Queens and the Rockaways to discuss the carrier’s approach to disaster relief and recovery efforts post Superstorm Sandy. The Assemblyman was joined by Hank Iori, president of the Belle Harbor Homeowners Association and Danny Ruscillo, president of the 100th Precinct Community Council.

“Following Superstorm Sandy, in addition to the physical destruction, thousands across Southern Queens and Rockaway were left without cellular service or means of communication,” said Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder.  “I applaud AT&T for being the first carrier to respond to our concerns and taking steps to ensure our families are able to communicate in the wake of disaster.”

Earlier this year, Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder sent a letter to the biggest cell phone providers throughout New York City, including, Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint asking for updates on their upgrades, resiliency measures and future storm contingency plans. In his letter, Goldfeder invited companies to meet to discuss their upgrades and requested each company discuss the changes they have made, post-Sandy, to prepare for future emergencies and how they intend to help customers in the wake of another disaster.

“During any major storm event, it is essential that cellular towers stay equipped to provide communications to those impacted,” said Hank Iori, president of the Belle Harbor Homeowners Association. “After Hurricane Sandy, all communications were down in Rockaway. All essential communications stopped. We appreciate AT&T’s effort to begin the conversation with us and we look forward to following their progress on this matter to keep our communities safe.”

“After meeting with AT&T, it is my hope that their company now understands the needs of our community and responds quicker when it comes to any emergency like Superstorm Sandy,” said Danny Ruscillo, president 100th Precinct Community Council. “As we all know, communication during the storm was a dangerous problem. I want to thank Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder for arranging this very important meeting.” 

“We have been through enough after Superstorm Sandy and cannot wait for another disaster to take action,” concluded Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder. “I look forward to working with AT&T and urge all other cell phone providers to follow in their footsteps and meet with our community to hear our concerns.”