THE SOUTHLAND FIRESTORM : PHONE SERVICE : Free Assistance Offered to Victims

Local telephone companies are offering free services to residents and business owners forced to relocate due to the fires.

Dan Smith, a spokesman for GTE, said the company will transfer a customer’s telephone number to a new residence or business, and is offering temporary remote call-forwarding at no charge.

“You can have your number transferred to a relative’s or friend’s house, or a residential voice mail,” Smith said, “so people can get messages and check messages.”

Smith said three GTE telephone cables in Thousand Oaks have been burned, cutting service to about 1,000 customers. “We’re in the process of getting those poles replaced,” he said.

For GTE assistance, residential customers can call (800) 483-4000 and businesses can call (800) 483-5000.

Pacific Bell is also providing assistance to local fire victims.

Free voice mail and call-forwarding will be provided to those who have lost service. According to spokeswoman Judy Peterson, the company will also provide free installation at new sites. Customers can call (800) 371-2355 (residential) and (800) 499-2355 (business).