On Thursday, April 11 at 8:30 a.m., Lab employees, affiliates, and contractors will receive a simultaneous email from the emergency LabAlert system and a text message for those who have registered a mobile device. The drill will send the text and email messages at the same time to test the capacity of the communications systems. There will be no phone alerts as part of this drill.
The messages will request that each of you respond with your status and whereabouts. You will only need to respond to one of them, but it is critical that you do so. The drill will continue and be rebroadcast to recipients that do not reply. The best way to receive LabAlert messages is by cell phone. During an emergency, the system can be used to provide life safety information and provide return-to-work instructions. If you have not registered your cell phone, please do so today.
Personnel accountability exercises are a very important way the Lab can prepare for potential emergencies. In a real emergency, responses to LabAlert messages can:
1. Expedite search and rescue efforts.
2. Reduce the risk to first responders by minimizing unnecessary rescue efforts.
3. Begin communications with people on travel in areas experiencing emergencies.
4. Reach mission-critical personnel.
This drill, coordinated by our Lab’s Emergency Management Department, is part of the Department of Energy’s continuity of operations efforts.