Hurricane Helene's destruction has spun hundreds of relief teams into emergency-response mode. Among these crews, broadband technicians are swiftly deploying over the country to help provide connection for emergency communications and impacted communities.
According to AT&T’s Network Disaster Recovery team leader, Travis Profitt, this has been one of their most extensive responses to a storm yet. Their response areas cover hundreds of miles over five different states including Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas and Tennessee.
In preparation, the team pre-staged equipment for quicker deployment following the storm. They’ve flown in technicians across the country to the recovery team’s base camp in Georgia (see video below).
“This has been one of the largest deployments of our disaster recovery assets,” Profitt explained to us over an email-conducted interview.
“The damage from Hurricane Helene has been pretty extensive. In many areas, significant flash flooding or storm surge has destroyed buildings and equipment.”
This damage has made for exceptionally labor-intensive responses, with crews of 5-10 technicians needed just to clear debris on the way to recover sites — or ‘cut and toss’ crews.
“Compared to a typical day to day job, the intensity and urgency are much higher during disaster response,” said Profitt. "Disasters can happen at any time, so we also have to be prepared for those early mornings and late nights.
Profitt explained that — all preparation considered — responding to scenarios like these is a heightening of both the highs and lows of the job.
“Responding during a crisis like Helene is both incredibly challenging and rewarding,” he said.
"On the positive side, there’s a real sense of purpose in what we do," he continued. "Knowing that our work helps people reconnect with their loved ones and access emergency services is a feeling like no other.”
And people impacted from the storm are deeply grateful for technicians in their areas.
“The community support is also amazing; people are genuinely thankful for our efforts, and that appreciation has really kept us going,” said Profitt. “We also have an incredible team who always comes together during times like these. Everyone pulls their weight, and that sense of unity in teamwork is fulfilling."
That unity is essential, as the job is inherently more dangerous with all the impacts from Helene.
“Safety is always a top priority,” he stated. “We have to be constantly vigilant around downed power lines, flooding and debris. Disasters can often times be unpredictable. Especially in these scenarios, you have to be able to think on your feet, adapt to changes quickly, and quite frankly, you never know what to expect.”
Beyond the technical challenges and work strain, these technicians are also front-line witnesses to the losses that people face in the wake of these disasters.
“And, of course, there’s the emotional toll. Seeing the devastation and impact on people’s lives can be pretty hard to deal with," Profitt acknowledged. "This is why knowing that we are making a difference and helping to restore one of the most essential components to the people who need it most brings us a lot of hope.”
Profitt offered direct advice to technicians new to the space: “be well-prepared for the unique challenges of disaster response work," noting that techs at AT&T go through an emergency response and safety protocol training to be just that.
“You need to know how to handle hazardous situations, navigate flooded areas and work effectively with the teammates on the ground with you," he advised. "Adaptability is key because conditions can change rapidly, and you need to be able to think on your feet."
Hear from Shannon Browning, another lead tech at the Georgia base camp:
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