When disaster strikes, Verizon’s extreme team keeps you connected

• Verizon’s Major Emergency Response Incident Team (MERIT) is a specialized hazmat-certified unit of network engineers trained to enter active hazardous zones to repair critical communications infrastructure.
• During a recent preparedness exercise in Hilliard, Ohio, MERIT operators simulated responding to a chemical transport accident, successfully performing real-time fiber, satellite, and power repairs.
• Ready for nationwide deployment within twelve hours, the self-contained team utilizes advanced equipment, mobile command centers, and FAA-certified drones to accelerate damage assessment and service restoration.

When a disaster threatens critical communications infrastructure, most people run away from the danger zone. The members of Verizon’s Major Emergency Response Incident Team (MERIT) run toward it—so you never have to worry about losing the vital connections you count on every day.

This week, MERIT engineers gathered at the Verizon Training Center in Hilliard, Ohio, to execute a high-stakes preparedness exercise. Their goal? To make sure that even in the worst-case hazardous materials scenario, your call goes through, your business stays online, and emergency services remain uninterrupted.

Founded in 1993 as the telecommunications industry’s first hazmat team, MERIT acts as a specialized arm of the Verizon Response Team. The group consists of highly trained network engineers who maintain IFSAC & Proboard Hazardous Materials Technician Certification—and can wear chemical protective clothing of the highest level of protective standards. This allows them to work safely inside fully encapsulated suits within active hot zones where standard repair crews cannot go.

During the 2026 exercise, MERIT operators tackled a severe scenario involving a chemical transport accident that exposed a key facility to corrosive vapors. The simulated spill triggered power failures, cooling system breakdowns, and fiber outages.

Deploying in protective suits, MERIT specialists executed real-time repairs to restore fiber lines, establish emergency satellite communications, and stabilize power systems—all while adhering to strict decontamination safety protocols.

What does that technical precision mean for you? It means that whether a chemical spill or severe storm strikes your area, Verizon has the unique capability to enter hazardous zones immediately to repair damaged infrastructure, preventing widespread communication blackouts.

When an emergency strikes in the real world, speed is everything. MERIT is ready to deploy nationwide within twelve hours. Armed with specialized vehicles, mobile command centers, and advanced air quality monitoring equipment, the self-contained team brings everything needed to solve complex network issues on-site.

Beyond ground response, MERIT integrates Autonomous Vehicles and specialized drones operated by FAA certified drone pilots trained specifically for hazardous disaster zones. Outfitted with advanced thermal and chemical detection cameras, these unmanned systems conduct rapid reconnaissance without putting personnel at risk. By delivering immediate, high-resolution data directly to field technicians, MERIT significantly accelerates damage assessment, streamlines repair strategies, and improves overall operational safety.

All MERIT members undergo an initial 128-hour training program and approximately 80 hours of annual recertification—receiving the same hazard and incident command training as major municipal fire departments. Beyond hazmat safety, these specialists bring deep operational expertise across fiber optics, wireless networks, and power systems.

When they aren’t responding to active incidents or conducting drills, MERIT specialists advise and train local network teams on health procedures, safety equipment, and real-time risk assessments—ensuring Verizon stays prepared to protect your community in any scenario.

Discover how Verizon’s resilient network keeps you protected, get disaster readiness tips for your family, or learn how we support enterprise continuity by visiting the Verizon Emergency Resource Center.