Fire Alarm
The fire alarm system signals a building evacuation. In tall buildings and buildings with a high occupancy, the alarm system also includes instructional voice announcements. Silencing of the alarm is not considered an all-clear signal!
C.O.W.S. (off campus)
The Bowling Green/Warren County Emergency Management maintains the Community Outdoor Warning System (C.O.W.S.) in Bowling Green and Warren County to alert citizens of threatening weather or other emergencies. In the event of a tornado warning or other emergency, these warning devices are activated, signaling people who are outside, to seek shelter and information indoors.Outdoor Warning System (on campus)
WKU maintains a series of outdoor warning speakers on the Main Campus and at the South Campus/Innovation Campus. In the event of an emergency, the system will activate with a siren tone, followed by verbal instructions.
C.A.L.V.E.S.
The Community Activated Lifesaving Voice Emergency System (C.A.L.V.E.S.) is an indoor warning system that announces an approaching tornado, other threatening weather or emergency situation by an intermittent tone or voice communication. Each building should have its own C.A.L.V.E.S unit. It is activated by the Warren County Emergency Management Agency. It is linked to the weather radio station for continuous weather updates.
WKU Alert Message System
WKU has the capability to send emergency text messages to faculty, staff and student cell phones in the event of an emergency. You may elect to receive these messages by registering your cell phone under the Personal Information tab within TopNet. View registration steps here. You may incur charges for text messages sent to your cell phone depending on your cell phone plan and provider, and you will be responsible for any such charges. If your cell phone carrier changes, you will need to update your information on TopNet even if you phone or phone number remains the same. In addition, the WKU Alert system will post information on the WKU homepage, onWKU’s Facebook page, on X.com (login required) @wkunews and @wku, and on the WKU News feed.
Emergency Call Boxes
Western Kentucky University has installed Emergency Call Boxes throughout campus and on each floor of both parking structures. By pushing the red button on the call box you will be connected to the WKU Police Dispatch Center by phone. Your location is displayed on caller ID at the Dispatch Center. Pushing the button also activates a blue flashing light on top of the pole. This flashing light draws attention to the area and could prevent further criminal action.
9-1-1
If you call 911 from a landline phone on campus, the call will go directly to the WKU Police Dispatch Center. if you call 911 from a cell phone, the call will initially be taken by the Bowling Police Department's Dispatch Center, and then you will be transferred to WKU Police.
When you call the WKU Police, a dispatcher will answer the phone and ask you if you if your call is an emergency. The dispatcher's job is to gather the necessary information from you pertaining to the call to then pass on to the responding units.
All-Clear
An All-Clear may be given by a member of the WKU Police, on the WKU homepage at https://www.wku.edu/, by the WKU Alert system, or over the C.O.W.S. system.