Which statement best describes the Code Adam protocol?

• A. Collect as much details about the missing person, radio all zones + MS to keep an eye out for them, after 10 minutes, call UPD
• B. Sound alarms citywide
• C. Lock all exterior doors
• D. Notify guests to stay calm

Answer: (A)

Code Adam is a focused missing-child protocol used inside facilities to locate a child quickly while keeping the public calm and the search organized. The best approach is to gather as many details as possible about the child—name, age, clothing, distinguishing features, where last seen, and who they were with—and then promptly relay that information to all staff and security so everyone can participate in a targeted search. Communicating through internal channels (like radios to all zones and the security desk) helps coordinate the effort and prevents rumor or panic. If the child isn’t found within a short window, the protocol calls for escalating to campus police (UPD) for formal investigation and assistance.

Sounding alarms citywide would create unnecessary alarm and confusion and is not how Code Adam is intended to be used. Locking exterior doors is not part of the missing-child protocol and could impede search efforts or trap the child. Notifying guests to stay calm is helpful in a broad sense, but it doesn’t initiate the essential staff-wide search and rapid escalation sequence that Code Adam requires.