Interactive Customer Evaluation

Interactive Customer Evaluation

Comment Regarding AtHoc Alert Messages:

Someone needs to take away the AtHoc button. They are seriously misusing the system.

“We are changing the traffic flow on NAS I.” “Wait. Scratch that, never mind.” “Wait. Sorry, scratch that again. We decided we are, so never mind to the never mind.”

My favorite was the day we had neverending the thunderstorm warnings.

“T-Storm warning in effect until 1000.” (The sun is out)

“T-Storm warning extended till 1400. (It hasn’t rained all day)

“T-Storm warning extended till forever.” Do these people live in a hole?

Then there are the Mondays where I come back to work and more than half of new emails I’ve gotten are AtHoc emails. Y’all are like the boy who cried wolf. I sincerely doubt that anyone would believe the AtHoc if there was an actual real life situation. Active Shooter? It’s just another exercise, AGAIN. Oh wait - that one doesn’t say exercise on it... is it real? I clicked off of mine, what does it say on your computer? That’s exactly what happened on 12 June. Are we still locked down? I don’t know - what did your message say? I got a text, but you got an email and they say two different things.

I thought that the system was for emergency situations and critical information. 99% of the messages I have received have been worthless. Stop the madness!!

Response:

Thank you for shedding light on our emergency AtHoc notification system. Unlike other forms of official base communication, this system has the capability of reaching all personnel attached to NAS Sig—service members and dependents. Because of its wide reach, it’s a critical component of our emergency management communication. I urge everyone who thinks they might have an issue with their AtHoc account, or dependents who would like to register for an account, to reach out to the emergency management team at W-SI-NASSIG- EMERGMGMT-STAFF-GS@fe.navy.mil.

Regarding the frequency that we issue AtHoc notifications, my philosophy is that it is always better to over communicate rather than under communicate. The system is in place to keep you safe and informed, period. While you are free to disagree, I do not consider what you describe to be an abuse of the system.

Our emergency management team sends the majority of AtHoc messages with input from other departments such as security and public works. Recently, our security department underwent a major assessment and was conducting drills that required AtHoc notifications. As with all drills, these messages are clearly identified with the information “EXERCISE EXERCISE EXERCISE” to indicate that there is a not a real-world emergency. But even when receiving an “EXERCISE” AtHoc message, all personnel should take them seriously and thoroughly read the message to determine what action items, if any, are necessary.

Other times, AtHoc messages may be released to indicate other urgent situations, such as drinking water bans/ restorations or urgent ECP changes. Again, this information is critical for your awareness and safety. Please take the time to read each message and determine if there are action items you need to take.

Regarding weather alerts specifically, remember that NAS Sigonella is an operational air station. Flight line operations and safety personnel need this information to make informed operational decisions, including how and when it is safe to re-fuel or arm aircraft. The emergency management team has coordinated with the local flight planning office to issue T-1 severe weather alerts, which include lightning/thunder within 10 nautical miles, torrential rain, hail, severe downbursts, and sudden wind shifts. Keep in mind that our proximity to Mt. Etna means that weather on or around the mountain may trigger these alerts, so even when it may appear sunny here at Sig there is significant dangerous weather in close proximity to the installation. Any of these situations will trigger a T-1 alert.

Again, I am not inclined to change how the AtHoc notification system is used. The messages are issued to keep you safe and informed. If, after reading a message, you determine that no action is required or the message doesn’t specifically apply to you, simply ignore the guidance. You can be assured that the information provided in AtHoc is applicable to someone on the base, and it is critical that they get that information.

Comment Regarding NAS I Pool Hours:

The base has received several comments about the new lap swim hours at the NAS I Splashers pool. Specifically, the concern regards the shortening of the M-F from 1800 to 1700, and how that reduction may impact the ability of active duty to use the NAS I pool for fitness.

Response:

I am always glad to hear about our service members taking physical fitness seriously. Lap swimming is an excellent way to stay fit and because of that, MWR makes extensive and continuous efforts to gauge the demand for lap swim at both pools for our active duty population.

In fact, there is an ongoing MWR survey to better understand the desire for pool and gym hours. I highly encourage all patrons to visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ NASSIGfitness to voice their opinion.

Although we try to accommodate everyone, we fully recognize that we will, unfortunately, never meet everyone’s exact needs. There are many personnel and dependents that desire use of the pool for lap, recreational, and instructional swim. Within the active duty population alone, there are a wide variety of work schedules to consider. We are always trying our best to accommodate all groups to the best of our abilities.

The most recent changes to pool hours for morning and afternoon lap swim for both facilities was based on the heaviest usage of those pools by our active duty members as recorded. Once school ends each summer, lap swim at NAS I closes at 1700 in order to accommodate recreational swim and swim lessons for adults and children.

In order to make sure that service members at both bases, MWR offers a collective 17.5 hours a week of lap swim across both pools. The current schedule, in effect through August 26, is displayed below for your convenience. It can also be accessed by visiting https://www. navymwrsigonella.com/summer-swim.

If you have any further questions or comments, please contact Elizabeth Leonard, Fitness Director at 624-0504 or elizabeth.leonard@eu.navy.mil. NAS I Lap Swim Pool Hours: Monday-Friday: 1200-1700 Tuesday/Thursday: 1100-1200 NAS II Lap Swim Pool Hours: Monday/Wednesday/Friday: 0530-0800; 1100-1300 Tuesday/Thursday: 11-1300 Fridays Only: 1500-1800