AMBER ALERT BROADCAST PROCEDURES

The first 2-3 hours after abduction is the most critical time for the safe recovery of the child.
Immediacy in getting the information to the public is a top priority.

AMBER ALERT EAS CODE: CAE (Child Abduction Emergency)
1-877-OKAMBER (1-877-652-6237) is the number to announce to call with information on the abduction. They should not call 911, as 911-operators may not have been advised of the abduction.

Oklahoma Dept. of Public Safety Amber Alert website: www.ok.gov/dps/Active_Amber_Alerts/

Receiving the Amber Alert

The Amber Alert will come to your station via your EAS equipment.

Automatic Program Interruption

  1. If your EAS equipment is programmed for automatic program interruption, it will automatically go out over the air.
  2. Be sure to save or transcribe the alert message for future rebroadcast.
  3. If you have a news department, notify them immediately for their follow-up on the abduction.

Delayed Transmission

  1. If your EAS equipment is programmed for delayed transmission, be sure to save or transcribe the information immediately.
  2. Announce or air the message within 15 minutes of receiving the Alert.
  3. If you have a news department, notify them immediately for their follow-up on the abduction.

Follow-up to original Alert broadcast

  1. The Amber Alert or information contained in the alert should be rebroadcast every 30 minutes for the first 2 hours and every hour for the next 3 hours.
  2. Pictures of the victim or suspected abductor and additional information on the abduction will be posted on the Amber Alert website when they are available.
  3. The best source for additional information on the abduction will be the law enforcement agency that originated the alert. Participating law enforcement agencies have been instructed that they should be prepared to handle media inquiries.
  4. Citizens calling your station with information regarding the abduction should be referred to the telephone number announced in the alert. Under no circumstance should station personnel take or announce information of this nature.
  5. The Amber Alert EAS Notification system will not be used for the cancellation of an alert. Cancellations will be posted on the website and/or issued by the originating investigative law enforcement agency.

Amber Abduction Criteria

  1. Child must be 17 years of age or younger, unless the individual has a proven physical or mental disability.
  2. There is reason to believe the victim is in imminent danger of serious bodily harm or death. (This may be an overriding factor in the case of abduction involving a family member.)
  3. There must be adequate information or evidence that abduction did occur.
  4. There must be adequate information to disseminate to the public that could assist in a safe recovery.

Please post this information in your Newsroom, Control Room, or other areas that might be involved in an Amber Alert.

For information on the Amber Child Abduction Alert Program, contact Vance Harrison at (405) 848-0771.

Click here for a printable instruction card to post at your station.