Army depot deploys emergency notification system

Tobyhanna Army Depot has more than 5,000 personnel.

Tobyhanna Army Depot in Pennsylvania has just deployed a new emergency notification system that incorporates audio, visual and text alters to notify personnel about what is happening and what procedures they should follow, the Army said in a release. 

"This system is designed to alert all personnel of crisis situations, such as a terrorist attack or hazardous material spill," Brett Morgenweck, installation emergency manager in the Risk Management Division, said of the At Hoc notification system fielded and funded by the Army under its Emergency Management Modernization Program, or EM2P. "If you have a cell phone, or a computer, or are in or outside anywhere on post, you will be informed as soon as possible."

Tobyhanna is a logistics center with more than 5,000 personnel.

The system works with four integrated components, three of which are fully deployed. The other is in use but will be improved next month, the Army said. They are:

1. At Hoc works through computers and cell/smart phones, sending notifications following the registry of e-mail address, work phone number, home phone and cell phone. 
2. A subsystem enhanced 9-1-1 that allows emergency responders to locate callers via GPS in the event the caller cannot speak as a result of injury or necessity of silence.
3. Audio, programmable lights and electronic message boards in high noise areas of the depot will alert employees that might not receive information via announcements or other message boards.
4. The Giant Voice system – which is already in use – makes announcements to employees either outdoors or near windows and will be integrated with At Hoc for computerized voice ability and send automatic and custom messages. This will be modified next month.