Emergency Preparedness Training and Exercises

Preparedness Training

KU Emergency Management provides general preparedness presentations for KU departments, organizations, or classes. 

Topics for presentations can include:

  • Personal preparedness for emergencies and disasters
  • Emergency reporting
  • Building evacuation
  • Severe weather awareness
  • Emergency planning workshops
  • Stop the Bleed Program
  • For First Aid and CPR certification courses, contact the Health Education Resource Office (HERO)

Preparedness Exercises & Drills

The Office of Emergency Management conducts regular preparedness exercises to test emergency plans, procedures, and to validate response and recovery capabilities across our campuses. These efforts support awhole-community approach to disaster resilience by engaging campus stakeholders and local partners.

Campus Drills

Each year, the Office coordinates system-wide drills in the spring and fall to test campus mass notification systems and promote hazard awareness:

  • Spring: Participation in the Kansas Statewide Tornado Drill (typically early March) in coordination with state, local, and federal partners.
  • Fall: Participation in the International ShakeOut earthquake drill, held annually in October.

These drills help ensure system functionality while also providing opportunities to educate the campus community about specific hazards and preparedness actions.

Exercises & Notifications

In addition to scheduled drills, the Office may conduct larger-scale exercises designed to evaluate emergency response and recovery operations. When these activities have the potential to disrupt campus operations, the Office of Emergency Management:

  • Coordinates carefully to minimize disruption if possible.
  • Provides advance notice and updates to the campus community

Contact KU Emergency Management at emergencymgt@ku.edu to request a presentation or an exercise drill.

Upcoming Campus-wide Drill

 

Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill – October 15, 2026

The University of Kansas Lawrence and Edwards campuses will participate in the national Great ShakeOut Drill on Wednesday, October 15. Join us in practicing earthquake response and being counted in the world’s largest earthquake drill.

How You’ll Be Notified

KU-Lawrence Campus
At 10:40 a.m., KU students, faculty, and staff will receive a Rave emergency alert via email and text message.  Additionally, the Emergency Public Address system will be activated to broadcast simulated emergency messaging. 

KU-Edwards Campus
At the Edwards Campus the drill will take place at 11:30 am. Staff, faculty and students at the Edwards campus will receive a RAVE alert via email and text message. 

The Medical Center campuses will also be participating in the drill.

KUMC employees, faculty, and staff will receive a BeAlert notification via SMS and email at the times listed below for each campus. A follow-up alert will be sent five minutes after each scheduled time concluding the drill. 

KUMC Kansas City: 12:00pm

KUMC Wichita:  12:30pm

KUMC Salina: 1:00 pm 

Note: This drill will not include wall beacons or computer desktop alerts on the Kansas City Campus.

A follow-up “All Clear” alert will be sent five minutes after each scheduled time concluding the drill for all KU and KUMC campuses

How to Participate

  1. Answer the Rave emergency alert poll
  2. Practice the “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” technique, if safe to do so. 
  3. Share picture of your experience at emergencymgt@ku.edu for Lawrence and Edwards or UEM@kumc.edu for med center campuses!

Do Earthquakes Really Happen in Kansas?

Yes. Earthquakes occur in Kansas every year. Kansas contains several ancient geologic structures and fault systems, including the Nemaha Ridge. While most earthquakes are small, seismic activity is regularly recorded throughout the state, and some events can be felt by residents.

In addition to earthquakes that originate within Kansas, the New Madrid Seismic Zone, a major seismic zone in the central United States, has historically produced some of the strongest earthquakes in U.S. history. Although it is not located in Kansas, a major earthquake in this region could affect communities across multiple states, including Kansas. 

Earthquake Facts to Know

  • Earthquakes can occur at any time without warning.
  • Earthquakes are recorded in Kansas every year.
  • Some earthquakes may be strong enough to be felt by residents.
  • Potential impacts include:
    • Injury or loss of life
    • Damage to buildings, infrastructure, and utilities
    • Property damage or structural collapse
    • Disruptions to communications and transportation
  • The extent of damage depends on factors such as an earthquake's magnitude, depth, location, and local conditions. 

 

To see more detailed instructions on what to do when you drop cover and hold on. Please reference this link: ShakeOut Earthquake Safety Accessibility Tips - English (earthquakecountry.org)

 

If you would like learn more about the national shakeout drill please visit (Great Shakeout) website.