FCC adopts new alert code for Tribal Communities

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) says its office has launched a initiative for missing and endangered Indigenous people.

According to the FCC , the new nationwide alert code is set to establish a dedicated Missing and Endangered Persons event code to facilitate the more efficient and widespread dissemination of alerts and coordinated responses to incidents involving all missing and endangered persons across multiple jurisdictions.

The alert is expected to deliver critical alert messages to the public over television, radio, and wireless phones.

The FCC says, over 188,000 people went missing did not fit the criteria for AMBER Alerts and with this new alert code tribal communities will benefit with this message alert system where American Indians and Alaska Natives are disproportionately affected.

FCC officials provided a clear example as to the way the system is designed to work stating, Tribal, state, and local law enforcement agencies originate alerts using the Emergency Alert System by selecting from a group of event codes based on the nature of the situation. For example, “CAE” signifies a Child Abduction Emergency, otherwise known as an AMBER Alert.
The new “MEP” alert code for missing and endangered persons who do not meet the criteria for an AMBER Alert will now get a clear coordinated response to these incidents.

The decision by the FCC confirmed, the new missing and endangered persons alerts within the nation’s Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alert system will help law enforcement agencies stimulate the attention of the public for those who do not qualify for AMBER Alerts, including those who meet the criteria for Ashanti Alerts.

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The FCC concluded saying, the wireless alerts will utilize the existing Imminent Threat class and the Public Safety Message WEA alert class.

Today’s Order closes this critical gap in our public safety infrastructure. By establishing a
dedicated Missing and Endangered Persons event code, this Order will assist law enforcement in
disseminating critical information to the public to aid in the safe recovery of missing or endangered persons. This three-letter ‘MEP’ event code harmonizes emergency alerts nationwide to ensure that the public is alerted and prepared to respond during these emergencies. Put simply, this Order will help save lives.

Office of Commissioner Starks, Consumer and Governmental Affairs, Media Relations

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