Update: More Information on Code Blue Alert

Update: Wednesday, Feb. 20, 5:57 p.m.

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

We know the Code Blue alert earlier today caused panic and was very frightening for members of the Utah State University community, as well as parents and loved ones. We are deeply sorry for the disruption caused by the alert.

At USU, safety is our primary concern and top priority, and we recently invested in a new part of the Code Blue system that would help us alert campus more quickly in an emergency. Earlier today, technicians were in the process of installing the new component when an emergency notification was inadvertently triggered. We are still looking into what caused this technical issue.

This experience has highlighted some areas where we can improve our safety response, and we will be following up on how we can better prepare our campus community. In the meantime, you can learn more about how to be prepared in the event of an armed aggressor at https://dps.usu.edu/emergency/runhidefight/training. If you would like to change how you receive Code Blue alerts, please visit https://dps.usu.edu/emergency/codeblue.

Sincerely,

Mike Kuehn
Chief of Police
USU Department of Public Safety

Additional Information for Students:

It is typical for people to experience a variety of emotions following an emergency alert. If you feel distressed and need to talk to someone, we encourage you to reach out to a trained therapist at SafeUT at any time, day or night, at 801.587.3000 or by downloading the SafeUT app at https://healthcare.utah.edu/uni/safe-ut/. You are also welcome to visit with Student Affairs in TSC 220 during business hours.

Additional Information for Faculty and Staff:

If you would like to talk to a licensed counselor regarding the accidental code blue alert, you may call the Hartford Employee Assistance Program at 1-800-964-3577 or visit online at www.guidanceresources.com and use the following information:

If you're a first-time user, you'll be asked to provide the following information on the profile page: In the Company/Organization field, use: HLF9022. Then, create your own confidential username and password. Finally, in the Company Name field at the bottom of personalization page, use: ABILIDuring installation of new emergency alert buttons today, a message about an armed aggressor was accidentally sent to the USU Logan campus. An all-clear alert was sent out within minutes to let the campus know it was a false alarm.USU recently purchased a new system to send out emergency notifications rapidly in the event of a campus emergency such as an armed aggressor. The system includes buttons attached to the wall at USU Public Safety dispatch. In a real emergency, a message could be sent quickly when someone calls 911. 

In that case, campus community members who have signed up for Code Blue will receive a Code Blue alert with directions to RUN, HIDE, FIGHT. Learn more about what to do in the event of an armed aggressor attack at www.runhidefight.usu.edu. Please also take some time to learn about how to prepare ahead of time for an armed aggressor situation. 

To sign up to receive USU's Code Blue Alerts, visit https://dps.usu.edu/emergency/codeblue.
 

Wednesday, Feb. 20, 3:09 p.m.

During installation of new emergency alert buttons today, a message about an armed aggressor was accidentally sent to the USU Logan campus. An all-clear alert was sent out within minutes to let the campus know it was a false alarm.

USU recently purchased a new system to send out emergency notifications rapidly in the event of a campus emergency such as an armed aggressor. The system includes buttons attached to the wall at USU Public Safety dispatch. In a real emergency, a message could be sent quickly when someone calls 911. 

In that case, campus community members who have signed up for Code Blue will receive a Code Blue alert with directions to RUN, HIDE, FIGHT. Learn more about what to do in the event of an armed aggressor attack at www.runhidefight.usu.edu. Please also take some time to learn about how to prepare ahead of time for an armed aggressor situation. 

To sign up to receive USU's Code Blue Alerts, visit https://dps.usu.edu/emergency/codeblue.