HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- (Editor's note: This article is part of a series highlighting readiness.)
Many people hear the loudspeakers echoing across Hill AFB each day without realizing they’re part of the installation’s “Giant Voice” system. Beyond playing morning and evening music, the system delivers the base’s most critical emergency warnings, which require immediate action from Airmen, civilian employees and families who live and work on base.
The system reaches more than 20,000 personnel across the installation, including residents in base housing. While it’s widely heard during reveille, retreat and taps, the traditional bugle calls marking the start and end of the duty day, its primary purpose is to broadcast emergency notifications that help the community respond quickly and safely.
Emergency Management officials said that understanding these Giant Voice tones and responding quickly is a key part of staying prepared.
“People hear the Giant Voice every day, but not everyone knows what the emergency tones mean,” said Robert Trickey, 75th Air Base Wing emergency manager. “Recognizing those signals helps the entire base community react quickly and appropriately when seconds matter.”
The Command Post conducts weekly Giant Voice tests to ensure the system is functioning properly, but real emergency tones require immediate action.
Understanding the tones
Hill AFB’s Giant Voice system broadcasts four primary emergency notifications. Each one signals a different type of threat and outlines the actions personnel should take.
Steady tone (3-5 minutes) indicates: A disaster or incident is imminent or occurring. Actions: Stay alert, take cover or evacuate as directed, follow official instructions and account for personnel.
Wavering Tone (3-5 minutes) indicates: An attack or hostile act is imminent or in progress. Actions: Increase awareness, implement security measures, follow instructions and account for personnel.
“Lockdown, lockdown, lockdown” (repeated three times) indicates: An active shooter incident is in progress. Actions: Remain calm and immediately implement lockdown procedures based on your location. Follow any additional command directives broadcast through Giant Voice or other official channels.
“All clear” voice announcement indicates: The immediate threat or incident has ended. Actions: Stay alert, account for personnel and report hazards, injuries or damage.
In addition to the audible tones, base personnel routinely receive email notifications from the Command Post announcing the weekly Giant Voice test. These messages typically note the test time and clarify that no action is required.
While it’s easy to dismiss these emails or close them as they flash across a screen, Trickey encourages personnel to read them. Not every message will be a test, and some notifications may include important information or changes to normal procedures. Staying aware of these updates helps ensure the entire installation remains informed and ready to respond.
“Staying familiar with the tones and responding quickly helps protect the entire Hill community,” Trickey said. “When the Giant Voice sounds, knowing what it means and acting without hesitation is a key part of keeping yourself and others safe.”