Upcoming Drills
UW Alert active threat communications drill – Jan. 22, 2026 at 1:22 p.m.
UW’s Seattle campus will run a test of the UW Alert system on Jan. 22, 1:22 p.m. in order to highlight for students, faculty and staff how they would be informed (and what to do) in the event of an active shooter attack on the campus.
The test will include a UW Alert message sent via text and email. The message will clearly read TEST and include prompts for what actions to take during an actual emergency — run, hide, fight — and where to get additional information. The test will not include any simulations out around campus – no gunshots, sirens or simulated victims.
The experience will be similar to the UW Alert Great ShakeOut test that was conducted on Oct. 16. In Seattle, the drill is scheduled for Jan. 22. At UW Tacoma, the active threat drill is on Feb. 19. UW Bothell will also hold a drill during Winter quarter, with the date to be determined.
We know headlines and drills can be stressful for some. The test is an important step in being ready for something we hope never happens.
Resources
- UW Police Department active threat/shooter guide
- Active threat communications drill information toolkit
Previous Drills
- Great ShakeOut earthquake drill – annually in October