| Informational Website: |
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| Contact Person: |
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| Administrating Agency: |
Local Law Enforcement. |
Participating Agencies and Organizations:
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Washington’s broadcasters, law enforcement agencies and emergency responders have collaborated to design an Amber Alert Program. It is currently being implemented by local law enforcement agencies with their local radio and television stations throughout Washington. |
| Steps for Activation: |
An AMBER Alert in Washington will be a locally based EAS activation. The SECC’s Local AMBER Alert Guidelines set forth the minimum criteria that must be adhered to, and included in, any Local AMBER Alert Plan. Any local law enforcement agency that wishes to use the EAS to broadcast abducted child alerts must work with local broadcasters, cable operators, authorized EAS origination centers and the Local Area Emergency Communications Committee to design a Local AMBER Alert Plan. Once a Local Plan is approved by the SECC, each Local AMBER Alert Plan will become an additional section in the already-existing Local Area EAS Plan. |
| Scope of Amber Alert: |
Statewide. Washington’s AMBER Alert Plan is somewhat different, but will be no less effective, than the plans in use in several other states. In The Washington State Emergency Communications Committee (SECC) determined that local jurisdictions know best what internal police protocols need to be followed in order to screen for appropriate events and information that will be of use. The Home Rule status of many local jurisdictions also was a significant factor in the SECC’s conclusion. Therefore, the SECC has adopted “AMBER Alert Local Plan Guidelines.” |
| Criteria for Activation: |
A child has been taken and the incident is reported to law enforcement, the abducted child must be under 18 years of age, law enforcement must believe the child is in imminent danger of serious bodily harm or death, and there must be enough descriptive information to believe a broadcast will assist in the recovery of the child. |
| Utilizes Emergency Alert System: |
The AMBER Alert is a part of the Emergency Alert System (“EAS”), which is a co-operative, voluntary effort between local radio and television stations and emergency management agencies. |
| Reporting Phone Number: |
911 |
| Success Story: |
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