Sirens sound, take action

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Joseph Pick
  • 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

On any given day, a person at Hurlburt Field may hear the loud, booming words, “this is the command post,” via the giant voice base notification system.

How many know what to do when you hear the words that follow? 
  

The 1st Special Operations Wing command post ensures communications on base run efficiently and alerts Team Hurlburt personnel if there is a nearby disaster or threat.

“The notification system and command post are important and crucial because they are the base’s primary source of information,” said Tech. Sgt. Tyler Kost, NCO in-charge of command post operations with the 1st SOW. “The notification system is the easiest way to disseminate information.”

Everyone should know the two different sirens and what to do in response.

The disaster warning, for situations like floods and tornados, is a three-to-five minute steady tone or voice announcement. During a natural disaster, personnel should follow any instructions to take cover or evacuate to a safe area or shelter.

“Local hazards include lighting, thunderstorms, tornados, hurricanes, tropical storms, extreme heat and wildfires,” said Randy Frederick, the readiness and emergency management flight chief with the 1st Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron.

The attack warning, for situations like an active shooter or bombing, is a three-to-five-minute wavering tone or voice announcement. In the event of an attack, personnel should accomplish disaster procedures while implementing security measures.

When a situation is no longer imminent, an “all clear” message is voiced around base and an alert system message should be sent out to desktops to signal an emergency or warning.

“It's important to listen to messages from the giant voice or AtHoc system to know what actions to take,” Kost said. “It provides the base with information to act on and to ensure the safety of personal.”

For more information on how to prepare and what to do during different disasters or threats, visit http://www.beready.af.mil/