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

C. Target description.
1. A thorough description of the primary target and any secondary
targets is necessary. This information is used for search
planning, search briefing, and, for secondary targets,
contingency planning and searching. In most search planning,
target type and size is a primary input in computing probable
location and search area.
2. Primary target information should include a description of the
distressed craft or person and any radio equipment, including
names and call signs. Secondary target information is
emergency or survival equipment that might be used such as
rafts, mirrors, flares, whistles, or electronic signaling
equipment.
D. Number and condition of people involved.
E. Assistance desired, to ensure that appropriate personnel and
SRUs are dispatched and properly briefed.
F. Weather information on scene, to assist in deciding type and
immediacy of response.
G. Reporting party information. If the source is other than the
distressed craft or person, the name, radio call sign or phone number,
location, and assistance capability should be obtained.
413 Incident Processing Forms
RCCs and RSCs should complete information processing forms for each
reported incident to ensure that important information is not
overlooked. The form is a checklist of essential information needed and
action to be taken, based on the reported type of incident, and should
be filed in the SAR case folder. To ensure rapid relay of incident
data, SAR facilities should maintain an incident processing form
identical to the one used by their RCC or RSC. Sample incident
processing checklists are included in Vol. II, Chapter 1. If the form
is maintained in a word processor or management information system, it
may be transmitted by electronic mail.
420 INITIAL ACTION STAGE
The Initial Action Stage is the period in which the SAR system
begins response, although some activities such as evaluation, may begin
during the preceding Awareness Stage and continue through Planning and
Operations Stages until the case is over. Initial action may include
SMC designation, incident evluation, emergency phase classification, SAR
facilities alert, and communications searches.
430 SMC DESIGNATION
A. The RCC should assume or assign the SMC function early in the