The University of Kentucky Police Department and the Division of Crisis Management and Preparedness will lead a full-scale emergency exercise near Kroger Field on UK’s campus, according to a press release sent to the Kentucky Kernel.

The exercise will begin on Thursday, Nov. 20, around 8 a.m. and will be completed in the afternoon. 

The exercise was designed to test UK’s emergency response systems in a “realistic, fast-moving scenario,” involving local, state and federal police and fire departments, Emergency Medical Services and other campus partners. 

According to UKNow, campus operations will continue as usual. However, community members may see emergency vehicles and an increased presence of first responders.

Everything that is part of the exercise will be clearly marked and communicated to the community.

“These exercises are about more than just response time,” UK Police Chief Joe Monroe said. “They test communication under pressure, the flow of information, how different agencies work together, and ultimately, how we protect our students, faculty, staff and visitors when it matters most.”

The exercise gives UKPD and its partners a chance to refine protocols, practice coordination and identify any areas that need improvement. 

“Safety isn’t just about one department or one day. It’s about readiness,” Monroe said. “Our hope is that these exercises encourage everyone to take a moment and ask, ‘Am I prepared? Do I know what to do?’ That awareness, that mindset, is something we want across our campus.”