America's Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response

In the Fall of 2001 the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) launched the AMBER Plan - America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response nationwide. Our goal is to assist cities and towns across the United States with creating their own emergency alert plan.

What is the Amber Plan?

The AMBER Plan is a voluntary partnership between law-enforcement agencies and broadcasters to activate an urgent bulletin in the most serious child-abduction cases.
Broadcasters use the Emergency Alert System (EAS), formerly called the Emergency Broadcast System, to air a description of the abducted child and suspected abductor.

This is the same concept used during severe weather emergencies. The goal of the AMBER Alert is to instantly galvanize the entire community to assist in the search for and safe return of the child.

Why was the Amber Plan created?

The AMBER Plan was created in 1996 as a powerful legacy to 9-year-old Amber Hagerman, a bright little girl who was kidnapped and brutally murdered while riding her bicycle in Arlington, Texas.
The tragedy shocked and outraged the entire community. Residents contacted radio stations in the Dallas area and suggested they broadcast special “alerts” over the airwaves so that they could help prevent such incidents in the future.

In response to the community’s concern for the safety of local children, the Dallas/Fort Worth Association of Radio Managers teamed up with local law-enforcement agencies in northern Texas and developed this innovative early warning system to help find abducted children. Statistics show that, when abducted, a child’s greatest enemy is time.

Is the Amber Plan Successful?

Tremendously! The program’s popularity has been sweeping across the United States and into Canada. Since the original AMBER Plan was established, 66 modified versions have been adopted at local, regional, and statewide levels. 24 states have a statewide plan.

To date the AMBER Plan has been credited with recovering 31 children!

What should you do in case of an Amber Alert?

The AMBER Alert message encourages the public to look for the missing child or suspect. You become the ears and eyes of local law enforcement.

In the event that you spot a child, adult, or vehicle fitting the AMBER Alert description, immediately call the telephone number given in the AMBER Alert and provide authorities with as much information as you know.

- Information obtained from www.missingkids.com -