THE AMBER ALERT SYSTEM IN KENTUCKYPresented by Brandon Kitts, Boyd County 911

OBJECTIVES

What is the AMBER Alert System?

The History of the AMBER Alert System

AMBER Alert Statistics

Requirements for Activation

Steps for Activation

WHAT IS THE AMBER ALERT SYSTEM

America's Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response

THE HISTORY OF THE AMBER ALERT SYSTEM

The AMBER Alert System began in 1996 when Dallas-Fort Worth broadcasters teamed with local police to develop an early warning system to help find abducted children. AMBER stands for America's Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response and was created as a legacy to 9-year-old Amber Hagerman, who was kidnaped while riding her bicycle in Arlington, TX, and then brutally murdered. Other states and communities soon set up their own AMBER plans as the idea was adopted across the nation.

AMBER ALERT STATISTICS (2011)

158 Alerts Involving 197 Children

144 cases resulted in a recovery, 28 of which were successfully recovered as a direct result of those respective AMBER Alerts being issued.

As of February 21, 2012, when statistics for this report were finalized, 5 AMBER Alerts issued in 2011 remained active and 5 children were recovered deceased.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ACTIVATION

Law Enforcement confirms a child has been abducted.

Law Enforcement believes and confirms circumstances surrounding the abduction.

There are indications the child is in danger of serious bodily harm or death.

There is sufficient descriptive information about the child, the abductor and/or the suspects vehicle.

STEPS FOR ACTIVATION

The Call

Initial Response

Local KSP Post Notification

KSP HQ Notification

State EMA Notification

Alert Broadcast

THE CALL

The Incident takes place.

Someone makes the call to 911.

The dispatcher gathers as much information as possible to relay to responding officers and begin notifying neighboring agencies.

The local director of Emergency Management is notified.

INITIAL RESPONSE

First responders arrive on scene.

Law enforcement officer gathers information.

Within two hours information for entry into NCIC must be gathered and relayed to 911.

If requirements are met for AMBER Alert officers has 911 notify local KSP Post.

LOCAL KSP POST NOTIFICATION

Local KSP Post notified by 911 Dispatcher

KSP Dispatcher notifies Supervisor.

If Supervisor feels requirements are met information is forwarded to KSP HQ.

KSP HQ NOTIFICATION

KSP HQ Duty Officer receives information from local KSP Post.

If requirements for AMBER Alert met Duty Officer begins Alert Process

Alert Information entered into broadcast system.

State Emergency Management notified.

STATE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT NOTIFICATION

State Duty Officer receives notification.

Contacts local emergency manager to coordinate response and resources

AMBER ALERT BROADCAST

Information is sent through National Emergency Broadcast System.

Alerts sent to cell phones in the coverage area

News Media broadcasts information

Law Enforcement agencies receive information via NCIC.

Alerts broadcast across traffic signs

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Amber Alert statistics:

http://www.amberalert.gov/pdfs/11_amber_report.pdf

Amber Alert History:

http://www.amberalert.gov/about.htm

Amber Alert Procedures:

Inter agency documents managed by Kentucky State Police

Amber Alert Image:

http://www.amberalert.gov

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Amber Hagerman Image:

http://www.arlington-tx.gov/police/amber-alert/

Cancelled Amber Alert Image:

http://www.wptv.com/news/state/amber-alert-for-denise-hernandez-last-seen-in-Immokalee

Amber Alert News Broadcast Image:

http://www.policemag.com/channel/patrol/articles/2002/10/a-child-s-toy-dropped-on-a-busy-street-evokes-the-terror-and-loss-of-abduction/page/2.aspx

Boyd County 911 Image:

http://www.boydcounty911.com

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Emergency Scene Image:

http://www.wowktv.com/story/21948174/man-in-standoff-with-state-police-and-deputies-in-boyd-county-ky

Kentucky Emergency Management Logo:

http://wuky.org/post/kentucky-emergency-management-still-under-fire-latest-state-audit

AMBER Alert Traffic Message:

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2013/0811/Amber-Alerts-How-successful-have-they-been-in-saving-abducted-kids