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Protecting Kentucky

KET’s transmission towers carry more than television programs

When disaster strikes, emergency management officials say they’re thankful to have a statewide transmission network that keeps working even when other forms of communication go dark.

And KET’s network—the same system of transmitters and towers that deliver the latest Masterpiece drama, Nature documentary and Daniel Tiger episode to your home—plays an important role ensuring that weather officials, first responders and law enforcement agencies can maintain communications in tornadoes, floods, forest fires and other critical situations.

The best warning system is one that works in multiple ways—and KET’s transmission network is part of the backbone of our communications with the general public. If power is lost to the cell towers, for instance, our information still gets to where it needs to go because of this backup system. And it saves lives.

Joe Sullivan, Meteorologist, Kentucky Emergency Management

“The best warning system is one that works in multiple ways—and KET’s transmission network is part of the backbone of our communications with the general public,” says Joe Sullivan, a meteorologist with the Kentucky Emergency Management. “If power is lost to the cell towers, for instance, our information still gets to where it needs to go because of this backup system. And it saves lives.” 

KET’s network of towers and transmitters — which are much taller than regional radio or cell-phone towers — house an assortment of local, state and federal agencies’ communications systems. Each site is backed up with emergency generators and can run for up to 72 hours after loss of commercial power. With fuel deliveries, KET’s transmission sites can remain powered indefinitely, ensuring critical communication support in the event of an emergency.

This infrastructure helps KET partner with and support the emergency communications of a wide variety of state and federal agencies, including:

  • Advanced Warning and Response Network (AWARN)
  • Emergency Alert System
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
  • Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA)
  • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Weather Service
  • PBS WARN/Wireless Emergency Alerts
  • Secret Service
  • KentuckyWired
  • Kentucky Division of Forestry
  • Kentucky Emergency Management
  • Kentucky Emergency Warning System (KEWS)
  • Kentucky National Guard
  • Kentucky State Police
  • Regional EMS and Sheriffs’ Departments

In collaboration with the state’s emergency management and Kentucky broadcaster network, KET’s reliable statewide 16-transmitter broadcast network serves as the State Primary Source for the Kentucky Emergency Alert System (EAS) approved by the FCC.  In addition to providing localized emergency and public safety alerts, KET stands ready as part of the federal government‘s National Emergency Alert System.