PROCEDURE D'ANALYSE DES CAS D'OBSERVATIONS DE PHENOMENES AEROSPATIAUX NON IDENTIFIES (PAN) INTERVENANTS DE PREMIER NIVEAU (IPN)

This document, issued by the GEIPAN (Groupe d'Etude & d'Information sur les Phénomènes Aérospatiaux Non identifiés) on February 3, 2009, outlines the formal procedures for the 'Intervenants de Premier Niveau' (IPN), or First Level Interveners. The GEIPAN, an official French organization, acknowledges its limited resources and the existence of numerous private investigators and associations working independently on UAP phenomena. To address the resulting inefficiency and lack of standardized methodology, the GEIPAN created a national network of volunteer IPNs. The document defines the role of these volunteers, which includes conducting local proximity investigations on cases provided by the GEIPAN and maintaining a watch in their geographic sectors. The IPNs are required to act as volunteers without remuneration, insurance, or reimbursement. The document emphasizes that there is no contractual link between the GEIPAN and the IPNs, and that the IPNs must maintain absolute discretion regarding the identity of witnesses and the nature of their collaboration with the GEIPAN. The manual details the operational rules, including the use of a dedicated domain (geipan-enquetes.fr) for secure communication and an FTP server for data exchange. It also includes a standardized information form (Fiche de Renseignements) for prospective IPN candidates. The document concludes by stressing that the success of this collaboration depends on the strict adherence to the GEIPAN's scientific rigor and deontology, warning that any conflict of interest or failure to follow these rules will result in immediate exclusion.