UMW to Test Area Warning System – Sirens and Speakers – on Aug. 19

The University of Mary Washington will test the area warning system of the UMW Alert system on Monday, Aug. 19 at 1 p.m. Anyone on or near the Fredericksburg campus may hear sirens and test messages at this time.

This follow-up summer test is not scheduled to include additional communications channels such as email, text messages, desktop alerts, phone calls, social media posts or website updates.

A complete fall test of the system is scheduled during the Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill on Oct. 17 at 10:17 a.m.

Students, faculty and staff are automatically enrolled in UMW Alerts with contact information registered with the University, including UMW email address and cell phone number. The University adds new community members weekly and resets the system with new students on the first day of classes for the fall semester. Campus community members can update their information at any time by visiting the Emergency Alerts website.

UMW Alerts connects with the National Weather Service to share storm warnings and watches, so users also received these notices directly on registered devices. This subsequent summer test will further test the speakers and sirens which are one of the primary communication channels for severe weather alerts.