Ottawa Fire Services to assist with the Provincial AMBER Alert program

ORILLIA, ON, May 24, 2013 /CNW/ - The Ontario AMBER Alert program is pleased to announce their new partnership with Ottawa Fire Services (OFS). The arrangement between the Ottawa Fire Services and police will assist the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and other partners to quickly locate children who are missing or who may have been abducted.

Now, the Ottawa Fire Services Communication Centre will alert firefighters and other OFS personnel that an AMBER Alert is in progress.  The Ottawa Fire Services has more than 1500 personnel who will now receive AMBER Alert notifications, which can only increase the likelihood of locating missing or abducted children.

"Ottawa Fire Services is proud to partner with the Ontario AMBER Alert Program.  Through our network of 45 fire stations spread over an area of over 2758 square kilometers, we are pleased to become part of the team that will work toward locating abducted children and make our communities safer," Ottawa Fire Services Fire Chief John deHooge.

Saturday May 25, 2013 is National Missing Children's Day, when people around the world commemorate the missing children who have found their way home, remember those missing children who have been victims of crime, and support continued efforts to find those who are still missing.

"This is a very important day for police, first responders and families of children who are missing or that have been reunited with their loved ones. National Missing Children's Day will remind us all to keep those who are still missing in our hearts, and serve to remind us that it takes the diligence of everyone working together, to keep our children safe," OPP Commissioner Chris Lewis.

The OPP facilitates the Ontario AMBER Alert program under the direction of the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, and collaborates with its many partners throughout the province to locate children who are abducted in Ontario.

SOURCE: Ontario Provincial Police

Contact: Marc Messier, Ottawa Fire Services
Phone:   [phone] Ext. 29146    

Contact: OPP Sgt. Steve Montpetit
Phone:   [phone]