State of Nebraska AMBER and EMA Plans

Memorandum of Understanding

Between

Nebraska Law Enforcement, Nebraska Media and the Nebraska AMBER/EMA Plan Committee

This agreement governs the use of both the Nebraska AMBER and EMA Plans – a collaborative effort between Nebraska law enforcement agencies, broadcast and print media, and the Nebraska AMBER/EMA Plan Committee to respond to the abduction of children and the recovery of endangered missing children and adults.  “AMBER” is an acronym for America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response, and is a protocol for alerting the public of a child abduction to solicit information useful in the investigation and recovery of abducted children. “EMA” is an acronym for Endangered Missing Advisory and is a protocol for alerting the public of an endangered missing child or adult to solicit information useful in the investigation and safe recovery of vulnerable persons who do not meet all elements of the AMBER Alert criteria but who are otherwise missing and at risk of serious bodily injury or death.

Requirements for Participation by Law Enforcement Agencies

Participation in the Nebraska AMBER / EMA Plans by law enforcement agencies is voluntary and is permitted upon satisfaction of the following requirements:

1. The Agency has established a Standard Operating Procedure governing the use of the Nebraska AMBER Plan; AND
2. The Agency has established a Standard Operating Procedure governing the use of the Nebraska EMA Plan; AND
3. The Agency’s representative(s) has completed Nebraska State Patrol (“NSP”) training regarding AMBER Alert and Endangered Missing Advisory activation and review processes; AND
4. The Agency agrees to submit requests for AMBER Alerts and Endangered Missing Advisories (“EMAs”) to the NSP with the understanding that a NSP AMBER Alert / EMA Verification Officer will then confirm satisfaction of AMBER Alert or Endangered Missing Advisory criteria before issuing the Alert or Advisory; AND
5. The Agency agrees not to refer to any alert or advisory as an ”AMBER alert,” an “Endangered Missing Person Advisory,” an “Endangered Missing Advisory,” or an “EMA” unless and until all criteria as outlined in the AMBER / EMA plans have been satisfied and verified to the Agency’s representative by NSP; AND
6. The Agency maintains trained officer(s) on staff to activate the Nebraska AMBER / EMA Plans and has provided the Nebraska AMBER/EMA Plan Committee with the officer(s)’ contact information.

Requirements for Participation by Media Entities

Participation in the Nebraska AMBER / EMA Plans by Nebraska media entities is voluntary and is permitted upon satisfaction of the following requirements:

1. The Broadcast Station has established a Standard Operating Procedure governing the receipt and broadcast of AMBER Alerts; AND
2. The Media Entity, if a broadcast station, agrees to broadcast AMBER Alerts received by Nebraska State Patrol as received through the Emergency Alert System (“EAS”); AND
3. The Media Entity agrees not to refer to any alert or advisory as an ”AMBER alert,” an “Endangered Missing Person Advisory,” an “Endangered Missing Advisory,” or an “EMA” by broadcast, social media, or any other means until verified and activated by the Nebraska State Patrol (“NSP”); AND
4. The Media Entity agrees to broadcast or disseminate through its website and respective social media platforms all Endangered Missing Advisories verified by NSP within its designated geographic region(s).

Responsibilities of the NEBRASKA AMBER / EMA Plan Committee

The AMBER / EMA Plan Committee:

1. Agrees to monitor the Nebraska AMBER / EMA Plan from the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office, and to review all issued alerts and advisories at least quarterly to ensure compliance with the criteria, AND:
2. Agrees to maintain the conduit through which to file suggestions or grievances pertaining to the use of the Nebraska AMBER / EMA Plan, AND:
3. Agrees to act as liaison with Nebraska media, Nebraska State Patrol, state emergency management agencies, county and municipal law enforcement, telecommunications entities, federal agencies and other relevant organizations and officials to administer the Nebraska AMBER / EMA Plan.

EFFECTIVE DATE

The terms and conditions of this agreement shall become effective on the date that the representative of the requesting party signs this agreement.  The provisions of this agreement shall remain in full force and effect until such time that this agreement is modified or terminated by the parties.

SIGNATURES


 

_______________________________________________
Agency / Entity Name

_______________________________________________                            __________

Agency / Entity Representative Signature (Title/Position)          Date    

 

______________________________________________                             __________

Nebraska AMBER/EMA Plan Committee Chair                            Date

*If your agency / entity has its own Standard Operating Procedure, please attach a copy to this Memorandum.

Click here for a PDF version of the AMBER Alert / EMA Memorandum of Understanding.