KU to test emergency alert systems March 7

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas will conduct an all-systems test of its emergency alert systems at noon Monday, March 7. Systems to be tested include KU’s emergency public address system, tornado sirens, text message alerts and email alerts.

The public address system is part of a comprehensive emergency notification system at KU. During the test, a three-second alert tone will sound, followed by the test message. Building occupants should continue with normal activities during the tests but are encouraged to think about places to take shelter and the best possible exits during an actual emergency.

Speakers for the public address system have been installed in and around 84 buildings, reaching 98 percent of KU’s academic areas. The buildings comprise the highest concentrations of students, faculty and staff.

For students, the text message system is “opt-out,” meaning student cell phone numbers are automatically subscribed to this system unless the student unsubscribes. Faculty and staff are encouraged to sign up at sa.ku.edu.

In case of potentially severe weather, the test will be postponed to a later date.

The university’s multitiered emergency notification strategy also includes:

• Email alerts: The university’s emergency broadcast email system can reach about 33,000 KU email accounts.
• Webpage alerts: The university will use alerts.ku.edu as a centralized location for information updates.
• Established protocols to use local media to help inform the public in the event of an ongoing crisis.

The tests are part of Emergency Preparedness week on campus, which runs from March 7-11.

KU also plans to participate in Kansas’ statewide tornado drill. Sirens on campus will sound at 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 15, so that members of the campus community can think about where they would take shelter at work and at home.