MOUNT OLIVE— The University of Mount Olive has taken another major step in its commitment to campus and community safety with the installation of a new UMO alert siren—an emergency communication system designed to rapidly notify students, faculty, staff, and nearby residents in the event of critical incidents such as severe weather, active shooter drills, or other emergencies.

This addition strengthens UMO’s already robust emergency response strategy.

It also aligns with Niche’s recent recognition of UMO as the Safest College Campus in North Carolina for the fourth consecutive year. UMO ranks as the ninth safest campus in America, reflecting the University’s ongoing dedication to protecting its students and fostering a secure, supportive environment.

The UMO alert siren has been strategically installed beside Grantham Hall to provide optimal sound coverage across the University’s core areas.

“We are pleased to be adding another layer of quick and effective communication to supplement our current emergency response system,” said Dr. Dan Sullivan, Senior Vice President for Student Affairs. “The siren will provide additional support as we continue to evaluate and enhance our campus emergency planning.”

The system features a variety of preprogrammed sounds, including a traditional warning siren, attention tones, and spoken voice commands that will guide individuals during emergencies.

According to Sullivan, depending on seasonal and weather conditions, the siren is loud enough to be heard throughout most of the central campus and even beyond UMO property—benefiting nearby residents as well.

UMO plans to integrate the siren into its broader emergency alert system, which includes text, email, and social media notifications. Testing of the new siren will begin soon, with regularly scheduled tests each semester. Students and staff will be notified in advance to ensure clarity and preparedness.

“The most utilized alerts on the siren will include voice commands,” Sullivan explained. “This allows the system to not only notify the community that there is an emergency but also provide instructions on what kind of emergency it is and how to respond.”

To prevent confusion, the system is programmed to include a clear message when the emergency has ended.

The University will also incorporate the siren system into safety education programming across campus to help students understand exactly what to do when they hear the alert.

Beyond the campus borders, the University has partnered with local agencies, including the Town of Mount Olive, the Fire Department, and the Police Department, to ensure they are aware of and can benefit from this new resource.

In weather-related events, the siren can provide added value to the larger Mount Olive community.

“Our community is vigilant in reporting issues and taking extra precautions to keep us all safe,” Sullivan added. “This siren is just one more way we’re working together to protect and care for one another.”