Little purple globe, new alert system

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Stephen Linch
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  Perhaps in recent days you have noticed a little purple globe invading the bottom right corner of your computer screen. 

The little purple globe is an emergency notification system called IWSAlerts Network-Centric Emergency Notification System. 

The purpose of the IWSAlerts system is to rapidly disseminate information to the base populace. This includes Military and DOD civilians, alerting them of things such as recalls, weather advisories and base closures. 

These "alerts" are normally made by command post personnel. The notifications are made through desktop computer pop ups, phone calls and even short message service (text) messages for commanders and designated key personnel. 

The popup windows created by the system will remain until they are acknowledged by the user. Once the user clicks the acknowledge button, the system will show they received the alert. 

If contacted by phone, the user can select a personal identification number to enter which tells the system they acknowledge the alert. 

It is imperative that the general base populace ensures their contact information is correct in the system. 

This includes phone numbers, email addresses, and SMS addresses as applicable. 

This is done using the "access self service" function by right clicking the purple globe. 

After this initial information is updated, users are responsible to receive the alerts, acknowledge them by entering their pin, or clicking the acknowledge button on the pop up, and responding appropriately to the alert. 

The information collected by this system is stored in the system and is accessible by Headquarters Air Combat Command, and ACC command post personnel. 

For questions about the IWSAlerts system call the wing command post at 687-3778.