Tech Experts Swiftly React to Brush Fire in Florida Keys, Quickly Restoring Connectivity for Islanders
Keeping Floridians connected to the moments that matter most requires expertise, resilience and teamwork. Those traits proved key during a recent brush fire in the Florida Keys. On March 18th, a wildfire feverishly burned vegetation in parts of Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties. The flames sent thick smoke in the sky and significantly impacted traffic with road closures. The fire also damaged critical infrastructure such as Comcast’s fiber optic lines which support Comcast Business and Xfinity services for islanders. The damage resulted in service interruptions for some customers.
As part of Comcast’s commitment to restore services as quickly as possible, the company deployed a team of restoration experts to the area. The dedicated technicians, including Roman Garcia and Jose Parra, arrived before firefighters even exhausted the brush fire. Garcia, Parra and others positioned themselves ready to respond once first responders gave the all-clear, recognizing the importance of connectivity for those living and working in the archipelago.
Parra said he’s been with Comcast for eight years, honing his craft and restoration skills. He said he’s proud to help bring essential services back online anytime, but especially during natural disasters. Parra stressed fast and reliable internet helps people stay informed and connected to loved ones.
“Right away, I started thinking about how our team could quickly and safely get services back up even with the strong winds and flames still around,” Parra said. “In big emergencies like this, teamwork and good communication are really important. Thanks to my teammates’ skills, we got the community reconnected fast.”
Parra said they first navigated tough conditions to assess the damage. They found that the wildfire burned through power poles, damaging the fiber network along a two-mile stretch. Once first responders deemed the area safe, the team rallied, working overnight into the wee hours of the morning. They completed the restoration work shortly after sunrise, demonstrating determination and urgency.
To make the swift repairs, two teams were on opposite sides of the damage and moved towards each other. When finished, they successfully repaired 2.4 miles of sophisticated fiber optics to restore services for those impacted Comcast Business and Xfinity customers. The teams’ nonstop efforts reflect Comcast’s desire to deliver exceptional customer experience even in challenging circumstances.