This is not a test: New Pantex Alert System

Pantex has upgraded its mass notification alert system to Everbridge.

Change can be hard. Like when a restaurant phases out your favorite dish or the speed limit changes on the road to your house. But change can also be good. Like when a new dessert is added to the menu or the new speed limit results in fewer crashes. Change can be a temporary setback or a path forward. Things may be available one day and not the next, but oftentimes something improved comes along in its place. Technology is no different. Technology is constantly evolving — and Pantex is evolving with it.

When the current mass-notification technology phased out in February, Pantex transitioned to a new system called Everbridge. The public warning tool broadcasts targeted messages during daily operations and emergencies through plant pager, phone, text, email, or other real-time alerts. The mass-notification upgrade enhances an already solid emergency services foundation by implementing one of the top public warning tools on the market.

The switch to a new system optimizes emergency resources by ensuring the plant population and off-site emergency planning partners can be notified as quickly as possible during a crisis or other situations requiring an alert notification.

“We have an opportunity to make great advances, a leap in the technology and tools for emergency services,” Emergency Services Advisor Kyle Brӓck said. “Upgrades like this can potentially reduce consequences in emergency situations.”

Staying up-to-date, enhancing communication platforms, and having the right technology is imperative to mission execution. First responders having the tools they need to do their job benefits all organizations across the plant; that's why upgrading emergency services technology is so important, Brӓck explains.

“We are poised for significant enhancements and improvements that elevate our situational awareness and provides a common operational picture for protecting the triad — people, plant, and the environment,” Brӓck said.

This initiative supports the mission by improving communication, and consequently response, in the event of an emergency.

“As with all technology, it’s constantly evolving. It’s not just a good idea to upgrade — we have to,” Brӓck said. “Systems are phased out and technology can stop functioning. It’s important the site evolves with the constant upgrades to enhance emergency response and ultimately maintain whole-site protection.”

Upgrading the mass-communication system was identified as a site priority as part of the Pantex Strategic Agenda. This enhanced visibility of the project enabled backing by senior leadership to get all necessary organizations involved to successfully implement Everbridge. Work on this project and other planned major advancements span multiple organizations and specialty groups including Safeguards, Security, and Emergency Services; Engineering; Information Technology (IT); Infrastructure; and more.

“When it comes to saving lives, seconds matter,” IT Project Manager Ryan Laughlin said. “That’s especially true when you’re replacing an end-of-life, out-of-support technology that Emergency Services relies on. You don’t have any other option but to work well together as a team to deliver with high quality.”

Nearly every faction of IT was involved in the mass-notification system upgrade. Laughlin says the team effort helps Pantexans advance the workability of their systems and provide advanced capabilities site-wide.

“If we have a modern emergency notifications system, we have the flexibility to adapt to any emergency situation with speed and agility, enhancing safety for everyone,” Laughlin said.

This is the first of many safety-related technology upgrade projects. Other advancements include replacing the video wall in the Emergency Operations Center, installing cameras across the site to allow for better situational awareness, installing direct communication connection to the Alternate Emergency Operations Center, and implementing wireless capabilities for firefighters.

Pantex emphasizes safety first –– safety of the people who work at the plant, safety of the mission, and safety of the environment. The recipe to get the job done may change, but safety will always be the main ingredient.