October 15, 2003 – The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Office of Emergency Preparedness (part of FEMA and the Dept. of Homeland Security) recently selected ASTi to supply a comprehensive disaster training audio and communications system for the Noble Training Center at Ft. McClellan, Anniston, AL. DHHS describes the Noble Training Center as "unique, in that it is the only hospital facility in the U.S. devoted entirely to medical training for weapons of mass destruction... It is the only facility of its type in the nation for civilian training."

ASTi has already supplied the simulated communications environment for FEMA's Emergency Management Institute (EMI) in Emmitsburg, MD in 2001. Based upon that installation's flexibility, performance, and reliability, FEMA again looked to ASTi for a complete end-to-end solution.

New ASTi equipment being delivered to the Noble Training Center includes:

• 4 Digital Audio Communications Systems (DACS)
• 30 Remote Interface Units (RIUs)
• 40 Headsets
• 45 Press-to-talk switches (footswitches and hand-operated)
• 20 Powered monitor speakers
• Complete cabling packages

ASTi will also provide on-site installation and training.

The networked, simulated comms system provides 60-operator stations with access to 12 intercom nets. It will be used to simulate the disaster site command and control radio environment. The communications model is software reconfigurable, allowing system administrators to quickly pre-set communications assignments for each operator station prior to each exercise.

The system also includes two ethernet ports, allowing future system integration of a simulation host computer, enabling instructors to introduce background environmental audio, degrade communications quality, and simulate equipment malfunctions and failures during training.

For more information, please visit:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Disaster Medical System