[EAS] Blue Alerts Are Back

[Tim Stoffel]

AMBER alerts have two major things going for them that justified a new code: First of all, it was a unique event compared to anything else covered by EAS. Secondly, it was unquestionably a timely type of incident, and the sooner the public knew about it, the sooner it was likely the child could be located. Silver alerts are similar in many ways, but usually there is not a criminal element. It is possible that maybe a 'missing/abducted person' alert might be a better generic title for this type of event.

Blue alerts do not differ significantly from an AMBER alert or a true LEW to really justify another code. And even blue alerts are probably rare, in the sense how often is a police officer actually abducted? A LEW would cover an active killer event regardless of who it was that has already been hurt or killed. The only reason for a special Blue Alert IMHO, is a political one, that results from the Blue Alert Act, a well-meaning but flawed idea that comes from lawmakers, not emergency management science folks.

The simpler, less ambiguous and most significant alerts are the ones that emergency managers, broadcasters and the public are likely to eagerly buy into.

(Gotts go, there is an incoming lavender alert ;) )

Tim Stoffel

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What does this FCC comment history about AMBER alerts mean for Blue alerts and EAS?