AtHoc System enables base officials to push out emergency messages Published March 21, 2008 By Holly Birchfield 78th ABW/PA Robins Air Force Base, Ga. -- Getting information out quickly when an emergency strikes or weather threatens is important for workers at the Robins Command Post. The AtHoc System, which combines a network alerting capability with a reliable emergency notification management system, now helps keep people informed. The system came online in temporary fashion at Robins in February to notify people of exercised tornados, lightning and severe thunderstorms during the base's emergency management exercise portion of the Operational Readiness Exercise. The system was meant to be used in the Operational Readiness Inspection in April. Master Sgt. Gary Nale, NCO in charge of console operations at the Command Post, said before the system's use, information was thrust out via the "giant voice," the Mass Notification System and the Automated Emergency Notification System. Sergeant Nale said the AtHoc system makes disseminating information much easier now. "The AtHoc is a network notification system that's a test base messaging to e-mail Blackberry and it's a system that will integrate with the telephone and the giant voice system and computer systems," he said. "It provides constantly updated metrics and real-time feedback for the controllers or the Installation Control Center who are putting out these broadcasts." Sergeant Nale said using the AtHoc notification system is simple. "We go to a URL on the Web and put in our password," he said. "There's a server down in Eglin (Air Force Base, Fla.) and basically it's a commercial phone center that distributes the alerts to Robins users." The Command Post now uses the system to alert people about suspicious packages, bomb threats or other severe situation notifications, Sergeant Nale said. Sherry Pfeifer, a project manager in the 778th Communications Squadron, said the system opens a small window on base computer screens that contains relevant emergency information. "You've got a little icon (on) your taskbar now and that application goes out every couple of minutes and looks to see if you've got any alerts that it needs to pick up and deliver to you," she said. "When it gets one, it brings up that little window on your screen with an audio alarm letting you know something is coming in." Ms. Pfeifer said people should use the "acknowledge and close" button to exit the window so the Command Post can account for notifications made. Mark Stallings, a project manager in the 778th CS, said the AdHoc has a far better reach of people than previous notification methods. "The giant voice might not touch every area," he said. "So, if they just go out with a verbal announcement, it may not get to everyone." Tech. Sgt. Theodore Jackson, NCOIC of the Systems and Training Management Function at the command post, said while the system has limited use right now, it has great potential. "AtHoc has the capability to notify all base (local area network) users of situations currently or about to take place at our base. As of right now, we are using it for our weather notifications, but that will soon expand to a multitude of notifications approved by the commander," he said.