JP 3-50 National Search and Rescue Manual Vol I - US Navy

equests for information, and use news media to release
mission information.
c. Keep informed on the procedures and techniques used
and the stage the SAR system is in at any particular time, and
provide prepared statements from the SAR Coordinator.
d. Have previously prepared photographs of RCC and SRU
action scenes suitable for release, in addition to photographs
taken of mission activities.
e. In many situations, more than one agency is involved
in a SAR incident. When releasing information, give credit to
the local, State, and other Federal agencies that may have
assisted in the SAR operation.
B. Journalists may be appointed to assist the SMIO. For mission
support lasting more than one day, the SMIO and journalists should set
up a watch schedule coordinated with the SMC. During watch periods
journalists perform SMIO duties.
C. Photographers may travel with SRUs to take photographs of SAR
operations, wreckage sites, or survivors. On scene photographs not only
enhance news releases but also provide additional information to SAR
personnel and accident analysis investigation boards. Photographic
coverage should begin as soon as possible. Photographers should be
knowledgeable of the SAR system.
1320 RELEASES
News releases should be written following the time-proven format of
"who, what, where, when, why, and how." Most of these items should be
covered in the first paragraph, all within the first two paragraphs.
Subsequent paragraphs provide additional information concerning one or
more of these areas. This allows the news media to cut portions of the
release to meet space requirements without damaging the overall story.
A good news release will be well written, factual, and newsworthy. It
should not contain personal opinion, judgments, elaboration, coloring,
or classified material.
1321 Release Types
The four main types of news releases are spot news, feature news,
advance news, and memorandum or fact sheet. Releases may be written or
oral. An oral release is any public statement made by a member of the
SAR system. Oral releases made by the SMIO should be recorded when
possible and verbatim copies retained by the command. Copies should be
serially numbered and placed in the SAR mission log.
A. Spot news releases are issued immediately when a news event of
interest occurs. When urgency demands, a spot news release may be
provided in a bulletin form as facts become available and need not be
complete information concerning the event. Spot news is always "for
immediate release."