NewRiverCommunityCollege
CodeAdam/AmberAlertPoliciesandProcedures
GeneralInformation:
Theseplansandproceduresareintendedtobeexecutedwhenachildisreportedmissing
byaparentorguardianonthemaincampusofNewRiverCommunityCollegeorattheNew
RiverValleyMallSiteinChristiansburg.Inaddition,thesepoliciesandproceduresare
intendedtoeducateandtraincollegepersonnelintheimplementationofaCodeAdamor
AmberAlert.Periodicreviewandtestingofthesepoliciesandprocedureswillbe
coordinatedbytheEmergencyCoordinationOfficer(ordesignee).
Becauseconditionsvarydependingonthetimeofday,location,staffinglevels,and
academiccalendar,theimplementationofCodeAdamalertswillvary,asdemonstrated
below.AmberAlertswillbecoordinatedbytheEmergencyCoordinationOfficer(ECO),in
conjunctionwiththeVicePresidentforPlanningandAdvancementandtheNRCCSecurity
staff.
SectionI. CampusPlanforCodeAdam,NormalOperatingHours
A. ImplementingaCodeAdamAlert
Whenachildisreportedmissing,thecollegeemployeereceivingthereportshouldtakethe
followingsteps:
1. AnnounceaCodeAdamandsecurethefacility.
a. Notify the ECO immediately. Methods for announcing the alert include phone,
public address system, electronic signs, walkie-talkies, text messaging, and faceto-face conversations.
b. The ECO is responsible for mobilizing the search and security team. He/she
should immediately notify individuals assigned to monitor entrances and exits to
secure the building.
2. Getadetaileddescriptionofthemissingchild.
Ifpossible,thedescriptionshouldinclude:
 Name
 Age
 Gender
 Heightandweight
 Distinguishingfeatures(haircolor,eyecolor,birthmarks,etc.)
 Clothingcolorandtype
 Shoecolorandstyle(shoesarenotusuallychangedbyanabductor)
3. Sharethechild’sdescriptionwiththeagencycoordinatorandtheSecurityOffice.
4. Escorttheparent/guardianreportthemissingchildtotheSecurityOffice.
TheEmergencyCoordinationOfficer(ECO)will:
1. Securethefacility.
AssoonasaCodeAdamalertisreceived,theECOwillnotifyanyandall
building/eventcoordinatorstosecurethebuilding(s).Thiscommunicationshould
beexecutedviaphone,walkie‐talkies,textmessaging,orface‐to‐faceconversations.
2. InformthecampusoftheCodeAdam.
a. Bythemostexpedientmeanspossible,theECOandbuildingcoordinatorswill
informcollegepersonneloftheCodeAdamstatus.
b. Onceabasicdescriptionisavailable,theECO(ordesignee)willsendane‐mail
messagetoallcollegeemployeeswiththedescription.
3. SetupabaseofoperationsintheSecurityOffice.
4. Coordinatesearcheffortswithbuildingmanagers.
5. CanceltheCodeAdamalertfollowingSheriff’sinstructionsorafterreunitingthechild
withtheparentorguardian.
a. First,thebuildingmanagersshouldbeinformedthatthealerthasbeencancelled.
b. Ane‐mailshouldbesenttoallcollegepersonnelcancellingthealert.
6. PerformadditionaldutiesasdescribedinSectionCbelow.
TheSecurityofficerswill:
1. Distributethechild’sdescriptiontoeachofficer.
2. Monitoreachentrancetothecampus(Route11andRoute100)forthemissingchild.
3. Attempttodetainsuspiciousvehicles.
4. Reportanysightingsorsuspiciousvehiclestotheagencycoordinator.
Eachbuildingmanagerwill:
1. InformcollegepersonnelintheirrespectivebuildingsoftheCodeAdamalert.
2. Distributethedescriptionofthemissingchild(asneeded)tobuildingemployees.
3. Coordinatetheimplementationofsearchteamsandmonitors.(RefertoAppendixAfor
searchteams,buildingmanagers,andsuggestedassignments.)
4. Assignsomeonetovisiteachoccupiedclassroominthebuildingandinstructfaculty
membersandstudentstoremaintheclassroomsuntiltheCodeAdamalertiscancelled.
5. ReportsearchresultstotheECO.
6. Notifymonitors,searchteams,andotheremployeesinthebuildingwhentheCode
Adamalerthasbeencancelled.
SearchTeamswill:
1. Searchrestrooms,stairs,closets,classrooms,meetingrooms,offices,elevators,
hallways,exitfoyers,andotherareasinsidetheirrespectivebuildings.
2. Usecellphonesorothermethodsofinstantcommunication(suchaswalkie‐talkies)to
reportobservationstothebuildingmanager.
Monitorswill:
1. Usecellphoneorothermethodsofinstantcommunication(suchaswalkie‐talkies)to
reportobservationstobuildingmanagers.
2. AskvisitorsandemployeeswithanychildrentoremaininthebuildinguntiltheCode
Adamalertiscancelled.
3. RemainatdesignatedareasuntiltheCodeAdamalertiscancelled.
B. GeneralGuidelinesforSearchers
Ifachildmatchingthedescriptionofthemissingchildisfoundduringthesearch,askthe
childtostatehis/hername.Ifhe/sheisidentifiedasthemissingchild,notifythebuilding
managerandescortthechildtotheSecurityOffice.Ifthechildhasbeenharmedinanyway,
notifythebuildingmanagerandstaywiththechilduntilinstructedtoactdifferently.
Ifthechildisaccompaniedbyanadult,askforbothnames.Regardlessofwhetherthechild
andtheadulthavethesamelastname,donotattempttodetainanyone.Rather,use
reasonableeffortstodelaythepersonandchildfromleavingthebuilding.Sometimes,a
simpleconversationwiththechildwillwork.
Reportallsightingstothebuildingcoordinatorandincludeabasicdescriptionofthechild.
(SeeItemA.2above.)
C. ConcludingaCodeAdamAlert
TheEmergencyCoordinationOfficer(ECO)isresponsibleforconcludingaCodeAdamalert.
1. Thechildisfoundunharmed.
a. Reunitechildwithhis/herparentorguardian.
b. InformbuildingmanagersthattheCodeAdamalerthasbeencancelled.
c. Issueane‐mailtocollegepersonnel
2. Thechildisfound,buthasbeenharmedinsomeway.
a. Instructthesearchertoremainwiththechilduntilotherwisenotified.
b. NotifythePulaskiCountySheriff’sDepartment.
c. FollowallinstructionsprovidedbytheSheriff’sDepartment.
3. Thechildisnotfoundin10‐15minutes.
a. NotifythePulaskiCountySheriff’sDepartment.
b. FollowallinstructionsprovidedbytheSheriff’sDepartment.
c. AssistappropriatelyinissuinganAmberAlert.(AppendixBprovidesguidelineson
theinformationnecessaryforissuinganAmberAlertinVirginia.)
4. Reporttheincidentandresults.
a. Prepareawrittenreportoftheincident.
b. SharethereportwiththeSheriff’sDepartment,asappropriate.
c. Scheduleandholdadebriefingwithbuildingmanagerstoevaluatetheeffectiveness
oftheresponse.
SectionII. CampusPlanforCodeAdam,Before/AfterHours
A. ImplementingaCodeAdamAlert
Whenachildisreportedmissing,thecollegeemployeereceivingthereportshouldtakethe
followingsteps:
1. AnnounceaCodeAdamandsecurethefacility.
Notify the Security Office immediately. (The college Security Office will have
homeandcellphonenumbersfortheagencycoordinator.)
2. Getadetaileddescriptionofthemissingchild.
Ifpossible,thedescriptionshouldinclude:
 Name
 Age
 Gender
 Heightandweight
 Distinguishingfeatures(haircolor,eyecolor,birthmarks,etc.)
 Clothingcolorandtype
 Shoecolorandstyle(shoesarenotusuallychangedbyanabductor)
3. Sharethechild’sdescriptionwiththeECOandtheSecurityOffice.
4. Escorttheparent/guardianreportthemissingchildtotheSecurityOffice.
TheSecurityOfficewill:
1. ContactthePulaskiCountySheriff’sDepartment.
2. ContacttheECO.
3. SetupabaseofoperationsintheSecurityOffice.
4. FollowtheinstructionsreceivedfromtheSheriff’sDepartmentortheagency
coordinator.
SectionIII.PlanforCodeAdamAlert,NewRiverValleyMallSite
D. ImplementingaCodeAdamAlert
Whenachildisreportedmissing,thecollegeemployeereceivingthereportshouldtakethe
followingsteps:
1. AnnounceaCodeAdamandsecurethefacility.
a. Notify the site coordinator immediately. Methods for announcing the alert
include phone, public address system, electronic signs, walkie-talkies, text
messaging, and face-to-face conversations.
b. The site coordinator is responsible for mobilizing the search and security team.
He/she should immediately notify individuals assigned to monitor entrances and
exits to secure the building.
2. Getadetaileddescriptionofthemissingchild.
Ifpossible,thedescriptionshouldinclude:
 Name
 Age
 Gender
 Heightandweight
 Distinguishingfeatures(haircolor,eyecolor,birthmarks,etc.)
 Clothingcolorandtype
 Shoecolorandstyle(shoesarenotusuallychangedbyanabductor)
3. Sharethechild’sdescriptionwithsitestaff.
4. Escorttheparent/guardianreportthemissingchildtotheAdministrator’sOffice.
Thesitecoordinatorwill:
1. Securethefacility.
AssoonasaCodeAdamalertisreceived,thesitecoordinatorwillnotifyanyandall
building/eventcoordinatorstosecurethebuilding(s).Thiscommunicationshould
beexecutedviaphone,walkie‐talkies,textmessaging,orface‐to‐faceconversations.
2. InformthecampusoftheCodeAdam.
a. Bythemostexpedientmeanspossible,thesitecoordinatorwillinformcollege
personneloftheCodeAdamstatus.
b. Onceabasicdescriptionisavailable,thesitecoordinator(ordesignee)willsendan
e‐mailmessagetoallcollegeemployeeswiththedescription.
3. SetupabaseofoperationsintheAdministrator’sOffice.
4. Coordinatesearcheffortswithbuildingmanagers.
5. CanceltheCodeAdamalertfollowingSheriff’sinstructionsorafterreunitingthechild
withtheparentorguardian.
a. First,thebuildingmanagersshouldbeinformedthatthealerthasbeencancelled.
b. Ane‐mailshouldbesenttoallcollegepersonnelcancellingthealert.
6. PerformadditionaldutiesasdescribedinSectionCbelow.
SearchTeamswill:
1. Searchrestrooms,stairs,closets,classrooms,meetingrooms,offices,elevators,
hallways,exitfoyers,andotherareasinsidetheirrespectivebuildings.
2. Usecellphonesorothermethodsofinstantcommunication(suchaswalkie‐talkies)to
reportobservationstothebuildingmanager.
Monitorswill:
1. Usecellphoneorothermethodsofinstantcommunication(suchaswalkie‐talkies)to
reportobservationstobuildingmanagers.
2. AskvisitorsandemployeeswithanychildrentoremaininthebuildinguntiltheCode
Adamalertiscancelled.
3. RemainatdesignatedareasuntiltheCodeAdamalertiscancelled.
E. GeneralGuidelinesforSearchers
Ifachildmatchingthedescriptionofthemissingchildisfoundduringthesearch,askthe
childtostatehis/hername.Ifhe/sheisidentifiedasthemissingchild,notifythebuilding
managerandescortthechildtotheSecurityOffice.Ifthechildhasbeenharmedinanyway,
notifythebuildingmanagerandstaywiththechilduntilinstructedtoactdifferently.
Ifthechildisaccompaniedbyanadult,askforbothnames.Regardlessofwhetherthechild
andtheadulthavethesamelastname,donotattempttodetainanyone.Rather,use
reasonableeffortstodelaythepersonandchildfromleavingthebuilding.Sometimes,a
simpleconversationwiththechildwillwork.
Reportallsightingstothebuildingcoordinatorandincludeabasicdescriptionofthechild.
(SeeItemA.2above.)
F. ConcludingaCodeAdamAlert
ThesitecoordinatorisresponsibleforconcludingaCodeAdamalert.
1. Thechildisfoundunharmed.
a. Reunitechildwithhis/herparentorguardian.
b. InformbuildingmanagersthattheCodeAdamalerthasbeencancelled.
c. Issueane‐mailtocollegepersonnel
2. Thechildisfound,buthasbeenharmedinsomeway.
a. Instructthesearchertoremainwiththechilduntilotherwisenotified.
b. NotifytheMontgomeryCountySheriff’sDepartment.
c. FollowallinstructionsprovidedbytheSheriff’sDepartment.
3. Thechildisnotfoundin10‐15minutes.
a. NotifytheMontgomeryCountySheriff’sDepartment.
b. FollowallinstructionsprovidedbytheSheriff’sDepartment.
c. AssistappropriateinissuinganAmberAlert.(AppendixBprovidesguidelineson
theinformationnecessaryforissuinganAmberAlertinVirginia.)
4. Reporttheincidentandresults.
a. Prepareawrittenreportoftheincident.
b. SharethereportwiththeSheriff’sDepartment,asappropriate.
c. Scheduleandholdadebriefingwithbuildingmanagerstoevaluatetheeffectiveness
oftheresponse.
SectionIV. CampusPlanforCodeAdam,SpecialEventsonCampus
Whenaspecialeventisheldoncampus(suchasgraduationceremoniesorcommunityevents),the
eventcoordinatorwillserveintheroleofagencycoordinatorandbuildingmanagerforthe
implementationofCodeAdamalertsshouldthecollege’sECOnotbepresent.Theevent
coordinatorwillassignotherrolestoeventstaff.
A. ImplementingaCodeAdamAlert
Whenachildisreportedmissing,thecollegeemployeereceivingthereportshouldtakethe
followingsteps:
1. AnnounceaCodeAdamandsecurethefacility.
a. Notify the agency coordinator immediately. Methods for announcing the alert
include phone, public address system, electronic signs, walkie-talkies, text
messaging, and face-to-face conversations.
b. The agency coordinator is responsible for mobilizing the search and security
team. He/she should immediately notify individuals assigned to monitor
entrances and exits to secure the building.
2. Getadetaileddescriptionofthemissingchild.
Ifpossible,thedescriptionshouldinclude:
 Name
 Age
 Gender
 Heightandweight
 Distinguishingfeatures(haircolor,eyecolor,birthmarks,etc.)
 Clothingcolorandtype
 Shoecolorandstyle(shoesarenotusuallychangedbyanabductor)
3. Sharethechild’sdescriptionwiththeagencycoordinatorandtheSecurityOffice.
4. Escorttheparent/guardianreportthemissingchildtotheSecurityOffice.
Theagencycoordinatorwill:
1. Securethefacility.
AssoonasaCodeAdamalertisreceived,theagencycoordinatorwillnotifyanyand
allbuilding/eventcoordinatorstosecurethebuilding(s).Thiscommunication
shouldbeexecutedviaphone,walkie‐talkies,textmessaging,orface‐to‐face
conversations.
2. InformthecampusoftheCodeAdam.
a. Bythemostexpedientmeanspossible,theagencycoordinatorandbuilding
coordinatorswillinformcollegepersonneloftheCodeAdamstatus.
b. Onceabasicdescriptionisavailable,theagencycoordinator(ordesignee)willsend
ane‐mailmessagetoallcollegeemployeeswiththedescription.
3. SetupabaseofoperationsintheSecurityOfficeorotherappropriatelocation.
4. Coordinatesearcheffortswithbuildingmanagers.
5. CanceltheCodeAdamalertfollowingSheriff’sinstructionsorafterreunitingthechild
withtheparentorguardian.
a. First,thebuildingmanagersshouldbeinformedthatthealerthasbeencancelled.
b. Ane‐mailshouldbesenttoallcollegepersonnelcancellingthealert.
6. PerformadditionaldutiesasdescribedinSectionCbelow.
TheSecurityofficerswill:
1. Distributethechild’sdescriptiontoeachofficer.
2. Monitoreachentrancetothecampus(Route11andRoute100)forthemissingchild.
3. Attempttodetainsuspiciousvehicles.
4. Reportanysightingsorsuspiciousvehiclestotheagencycoordinator.
Eachbuildingmanagerwill:
1. InformcollegepersonnelintheirrespectivebuildingsoftheCodeAdamalert.
2. Distributethedescriptionofthemissingchild(asneeded)tobuildingemployees.
3. Coordinatetheimplementationofsearchteamsandmonitors.(RefertoAppendixAfor
searchteams,buildingmanagers,andsuggestedassignments.)
4. Assignsomeonetovisiteachoccupiedclassroominthebuildingandinstructfaculty
membersandstudentstoremaintheclassroomsuntiltheCodeAdamalertiscancelled.
5. Reportsearchresultstotheagencycoordinator.
6. Notifymonitors,searchteams,andotheremployeesinthebuildingwhentheCode
Adamalerthasbeencancelled.
SearchTeamswill:
1. Searchrestrooms,stairs,closets,classrooms,meetingrooms,offices,elevators,
hallways,exitfoyers,andotherareasinsidetheirrespectivebuildings.
2. Usecellphonesorothermethodsofinstantcommunication(suchaswalkie‐talkies)to
reportobservationstothebuildingmanager.
Monitorswill:
1. Usecellphonesorothermethodsofinstantcommunication(suchaswalkie‐talkies)to
reportobservationstobuildingmanagers.
2. AskvisitorsandemployeeswithanychildrentoremaininthebuildinguntiltheCode
Adamalertiscancelled.
3. RemainatdesignatedareasuntiltheCodeAdamalertiscancelled.
B. GeneralGuidelinesforSearchers
Ifachildmatchingthedescriptionofthemissingchildisfoundduringthesearch,askthe
childtostatehis/hername.Ifhe/sheisidentifiedasthemissingchild,notifythebuilding
managerandescortthechildtotheSecurityOffice.Ifthechildhasbeenharmedinanyway,
notifythebuildingmanagerandstaywiththechilduntilinstructedtoactdifferently.
Ifthechildisaccompaniedbyanadult,askforbothnames.Regardlessofwhetherthechild
andtheadulthavethesamelastname,donotattempttodetainanyone.Rather,use
reasonableeffortstodelaythepersonandchildfromleavingthebuilding.Sometimes,a
simpleconversationwiththechildwillwork.
Reportallsightingstothebuildingcoordinatorandincludeabasicdescriptionofthechild.
(SeeItemA.2above.)
C. ConcludingaCodeAdamAlert
TheagencycoordinatorisresponsibleforconcludingaCodeAdamalert.
1. Thechildisfoundunharmed.
a. Reunitechildwithhis/herparentorguardian.
b. InformbuildingmanagersthattheCodeAdamalerthasbeencancelled.
c. Issueane‐mailtocollegepersonnel
2. Thechildisfound,buthasbeenharmedinsomeway.
a. Instructthesearchertoremainwiththechilduntilotherwisenotified.
b. NotifythePulaskiCountySheriff’sDepartment.
c. FollowallinstructionsprovidedbytheSheriff’sDepartment.
3. Thechildisnotfoundin10‐15minutes.
a. NotifythePulaskiCountySheriff’sDepartment.
b. FollowallinstructionsprovidedbytheSheriff’sDepartment.
c. AssistappropriateinissuinganAmberAlert.(AppendixBprovidesguidelineson
theinformationnecessaryforissuinganAmberAlertinVirginia.)
4. Reporttheincidentandresults.
a. Prepareawrittenreportoftheincident.
b. SharethereportwiththeSheriff’sDepartment,asappropriate.
c. Scheduleandholdadebriefingwithbuildingmanagerstoevaluatetheeffectiveness
oftheresponse.
SectionV.EffectiveDate
ThisplanwasoriginallyimplementedinJanuary2005,asaresultoflegislationinthe
VirginiaGeneralAssemblyrequiringallstateagenciestodevelopandpublishaCodeAdam
plan.
Updatesandrevisionshavebeenperformedasfollows:
July2008
February2013