State University's Police Department is the only authorized initiator to send campus emergency messages. The Information Technology department is responsible for maintaining the KSU Alert system. All University Police Department employees shall be trained in the proper use of KSU Alerts.
KSU Alert Procedure: Upon notification of authorization to initiate a KSU Alert message should be based on two key factors—threat to life/safety and response time to an immediate emergency or if any immediate or urgent action is required. The decision to initiate a notification through the KSU Alert system will be based on the situation and required immediate action. Activation of the KSU Alert emergency notification system shall be activated under the following circumstances:
Emergencies requiring immediate action: University Police Department Dispatcher will initiate notifications at the direction of the on duty supervisor or officer in charge, unless the dispatcher can confirm an immediate threat of an emergency such as shots fired, explosion, etc. Notifications will be made immediately unless, in the judgment of the on duty supervisor or officer in charge, the notification may compromise efforts to assist or contain, respond to, or otherwise mitigate the emergency.
Dispatch shall immediately initiate a KSU Alert message if a weather alert is issued for a Tornado Warning or other severe weather.
Disruptions to normal campus operations. For instance, the University Police Department shall initiate notifications regarding campus delays or closures due to inclement weather based on approval from the University Administration.
The University Police Department employees are trained first responders who are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. These first responders will confirm the existence of any significant emergencies or dangerous situations by on-site observations, monitoring the news and the National Weather Service radio, and/or monitoring communication broadcasts by the Frankfort Police and Fire Departments.
Follow-up information regarding the incident will also be relayed to students, staff, faculty and subscribers by KSU Alert as necessary. If an emergency requires disseminating information to the larger community, the on-duty Duty Commander with the Frankfort Police Department will be contacted at (502) 875-8582.