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Warning system can send mass notice

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Stephenie Wade
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  The Scott AFB Consolidated Command Post will conduct a test of a new emergency mass notification system, called AtHoc, March 6 at 10 a.m. This test will only be conducted for members of the 375th Air Mobility Wing. Remaining Team Scott members will be included during a test scheduled for March 20, also kicking off at 10 a.m.

Although several Air Mobility Command bases have already purchased this system on their own, AMC headquarters recently purchased the system to be implemented and used command-wide.

The AtHoc system is represented by a small purple globe icon located in the lower right section of a computer user's screen.

"The system will generate alerts using the Internet Protocol Addresses as an installation-wide, mass-notification system," said Maj. Kent Freeman, Chief of the Scott AFB Consolidated Command Post.

"AtHoc will allow mass life saving messages to be sent rapidly to thousands of employees in geographically dispersed buildings and facilities alerting them of, or during, an emergency."

In the future the installation commander can use this system to make mass notifications regarding issues such as an active shooter, natural disaster or biochemical emergency. The Scott Command Post is the base "owner" of the system and can send base notifications or alerts and provide reports to the commander as needed.

"Our goal is to provide a means of rapidly notifying all Team Scott members during times of emergencies and matters that require urgent attention, using multiple channels, to accelerate our threat response," said Freeman.

Exercise scenarios and implementations will also
be sent through the system. Messages sent during normal duty hours will be sent via local area networks or work phones, with the work cell as a back-up for key staff members.

Individuals will only receive messages if their personal contact information under the purple globe icon is correct. Military and "key" or "mission essential" civilian personnel are all required to have up to date emergency notification information.

"The system is only as good as the information provided by individuals," said Freeman.

Command Post personnel request everyone take two minutes out of their day to update their personal information by clicking on the purple globe icon and following the screen instructions. Once members are registered they will begin to receive messages or alerts to the fields that were populated. It is highly encouraged when populating the fields to be as detailed as possible, even taking the time to add home contact information can help relay important, time sensitive information to those you care about most.

"The system is just one of the many EMNS technology platforms used by Scott Air Force Base helping to provide efficient and immediate alerting, tracking and reporting during emergency situations," said Freeman.

Detailed instructions are available on the wing Sharepoint site.
This system is for official use and will not be used as a sales or marketing tool.
For more questions about the AtHoc system contact Maj. William Freeman at 256-2615 or visit www.athoc.com/products/athoc-iwsalerts/overview-a-benefits.html.