At 0930, on September 17, the installation’s mass notification system alerted base personnel, residents and visitors to the installation of the onset of the shelter-in-place drill, as part of the National Preparedness Month at Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany.
In specific instances, an evacuation or moving to a shelter or designated place is more dangerous than remaining where you are, such as a short- or no-notice emergencies, including hazardous materials events. In these instances, you may be directed to shelter-in-place.
Sheltering-in-place means to take temporary protection in a structure or vehicle.
Shelter-in-place is used at MCLB Albany for a hazardous material or chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive (conventional weapons) terrorist event that has taken place. If the cloud or downwind hazard area has fallen upon the installation, sometimes it is safer to shelter in place than it is to evacuate.
The drill on Tuesday consisted of two systems that provided active-duty Marines and civilian-Marines with the information they need to take appropriate actions for the threat. Giant Voice will be used for warning employees that are outside with a verbal announcement. Numerous buildings at MCLB Albany also have an internal speaker system that is utilized to alert employees that are in the hallways or common areas. The AtHoc system is utilized to notify employees through email, phone and text.
Marvin Thomas, CBRNE protection officer, MCLB Albany, says that the “shelter-in-place drill allows all installation personnel to educate, review, and rehearse established emergency action plans and SIP procedures. This will ultimately save lives should MCLB Albany be impacted by an incident requiring the population to shelter-in-place in the event of a HAZMAT incident.”