A Closer Look At The Fort Bliss Mass Notification System

Military officials said their mass notification system, AtHoc, helped control Monday’s deadly shooting situation.

“This is a very dynamic tool that allows us to get the word out to people. Whether it be an emergent or non-emergent situation,” said Mike Lister, Emergency Manager at Fort Bliss.

The system was used Monday after two women were shot at a post convenience stores. Alerts were immediately sent to key officials on post.

“The first message that went out was to advise people to stay away from the Cassidy Shoppette,” said Lister.

He said the information was then distributed through the chain of command.

“I was fully confident the incident was isolated to the Fort Bliss area – specifically to the shoppette that we have – therefore it was essential to keep the information close and privilege to what was going on because we were still working closely with the FBI,” said garrison commander Col. Joseph Simonelli Jr.

The system worked without fault or error, according to Lister.

Officials explained when there is a mass notification, information is sent out via computer pop-up, email and phone.

The system was set up six months ago.

“We needed to have a way to get information out as quickly as possible to as many people as possible,” said Simonelli.

Installation Operations Center officials told ABC-7 the alert system has space for about 7,500 contacts.

“We will be expanding to our counterparts, the leadership of El Paso, El Paso Police Department, El Paso Fire, Office of Emergency Management, local FBI division and other counterparts here within the community,” said Lister.

The AtHoc system cost the Army $200,000. Military officials say city officials will have access to the system by next week.

The next big step, according to military officials, will be becoming more familiar with a system called eArmy, where users sign up to receive information.

It’s not clear if the general public will have access to the site.