MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C. -The AtHoc company mass notification system is being installed Marine Corps wide as a means to alert personnel of any danger or possible threat that may be present.
According to Kert Lang, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron (H&HS) operations officer, if there is a situation where mass notification is necessary, the AtHoc system is designed to alert 100 percent of the population of the affected area in less than 10 minutes.
“The AtHoc system is net-based and able to communicate the emergency message through a number a different channels,” said Lang.
One of the ways it will notify the population of the threat is by sending a pop-up message to all Navy Marine Corps Intranet (NMCI) computers in the affected area that must be acknowledged.
“With the initiation of the AtHoc system, the information of Marines, Department of Defense (DOD) employees and dependents will be entered into the mass notification system,” said Lang. “Not only will this system notify via NMCI computers but also through calls and through personal email.”
The AtHoc system can also be specific about who it will notify.
“If there is an emergency or impending event that will only affect a certain area, the AtHoc system will notify only those in the potentially-affected zone,” said Lang.
“This is beneficial because those who need to know what is going on will be informed without alarming the entire population,” he added.
In the event it may be necessary, the system will also be able to utilize the internal and external audio speakers throughout Marine Corps Air Station New River.
An email regarding further instruction has already been sent out to all section staff noncommissioned officers, officers and DOD employees, said Gunnery Sgt. Casondra A. Smith, H&HS AtHoc operator.
“Our hope is to have 100 percent completion of all the units on the air station by Nov. 20,” said Smith. “This new mass notification system will be a great tool to aid in informing the installation communities of impending dangers or severe weather threats.”