The Iowa Amber Alert Plan

A Message to General Managers…

 

 

In any news organization the report of a child abduction is considered a breaking story.

 

Before an Amber Alert is ever activated each radio and television station must have a coordinated plan that brings together the Engineering, Production, Talent and News Departments within the station(s).  While broadcasters do not participate in the decision-making process that triggers an Amber Alert…all radio and television stations are critical to the program’s success.

 

 

Establish an Amber Plan Response Protocol-NOW

As a part of the Iowa Amber Alert Plan, stations need to proactively develop an internal station protocol for responding to an Amber Alert.  As you know, time is critical when a child has been abducted, and the more quickly the information is broadcast to the community the more quickly the case can be resolved.

 

·         All Iowa radio and television stations need to develop and coordinate an individual station plan…determining how all Amber Alert information will be handled within the station(s) and by whom. 

 

·         Define an internal chain of command- NOW…that will determine how the system will work with in your station(s), so that if and/or when an Amber Alert is ever issued, it can be broadcast as quickly as possible.

 

 

Promote Staff Understanding of the EAS

All News, Programming, Production and any other staff members involved in the Amber Alert plan should be aware of how the Emergency Alert System works and understand the format by which an Alert will be sent out.

 

 

Prepare Your Staff For Community Response

If viewers or listeners should call your station requesting an Amber Alert be issued…or if they call to report any eyewitness information, your staff needs to immediately direct the person calling to call local law enforcement or 911.  Station personel should explain to callers that the decision to activate an Amber Alert is determined only by law enforcement. 

 

 

 

 

“The Amber Plan is about helping people, and local broadcasters across the country are proud of their role in helping to make it work.”

                                                                               Eddie Fritts, President & CEO

                                                                               National Association of Broadcasters