March 14, 2018
K-State Alerts test feedback, additional safety information
Thanks to everyone who provided feedback on the K-State Alerts test on March 6. Your comments help us evaluate the effectiveness of the system and identify areas of possible improvement. Based on feedback from the spring test, here is a list of requested additional information:
Notification options
Some people expressed interest in changing the types of notifications they receive. K-Staters can modify their settings at the K-State Connect website. Simply log in and select the "Manage K-State Alerts" tab.
Outdoor warning sirens
Many K-Staters reported being unable to hear the sirens in various buildings on campus. The primary purpose of the sirens is to alert people who are outdoors. Other alerts systems such as K-State Alerts, the Emergency Alert System on commercial radio and television channels, or via a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather radio are recommended for people indoors.
During the test, two of the outdoor warning sirens did not properly activate. The siren vendor corrected the problem the same day as the test. In addition, the K-State Police Department has submitted a proposal to the administration for additional sirens on campus.
Tornado response
If anyone is unsure of how to react in the event of a tornado, particularly if they were in a building without a basement or outside, watch this two-minute video from the National Weather Service for guidance on the actions you can take during a tornado. Additionally, the Emergency Guide page has information for actions to take during a variety of emergencies.
Active shooter concerns
K-State takes the possibility of an active shooter very seriously and the K-State Police Department works closely with on-campus partners and law enforcement partners to detect and stop individuals who may be planning to perpetrate such actions on campus. K-State police regularly exercise with the Riley County Police Department, Riley County Emergency Medical Services, and Manhattan Fire Department to practice a coordinated response to such an attack.
The K-State Police Department also offers ALICE training to faculty and staff to teach strategies and tactics to survive an active shooter event. Read more information on ALICE training or view an introductory video to the ALICE concepts.
Additionally, K-State is offering Stop the Bleed training on campus. This course teaches people how to control severe bleeding using pressure, wound packing and tourniquets. Given that a person can bleed to death in less than five minutes these skills could save a life in an emergency.
Planning resources
Read basic guidance on how to react to various emergencies at k-state.edu/police/emergency/. All K-Staters are encouraged to familiarize themselves with their department's, college's, or building's emergency plan. If your department or college needs to draft or update their plan, a template emergency plan is available at k-state.edu/police/emergency/ under "Planning Resources." You can utilize the entire plan or select a specific component you need. These documents serve as a starting point for your planning process and are customizable to meet the needs of your department, college, or building.
For more information or assistance, email the emergency management coordinator at kstateem@k-state.edu.