Any Unknown or Unlisted Aircraft Manufacturer
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 2
Confusion
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance
Procedure
I overheard an ELT being reported.  Soon after; there were search aircraft launched in response to the ELT.  This caused me to recall an instance from my shift the night prior; during which I was working departures and also overheard two ELTs being reported.  I became concerned that there had been no action taken the night before.  While I was not directly involved in taking the reports or reporting them to the Front Line Manager (FLM); I did overhear part of the communication.  While working departures; I heard the ZZZ1 controller verbally advise the FLM that she received a report of an ELT.  She then informed the FLM that another aircraft was also reporting an ELT near the same location.  I recall the FLM asking 'What altitude?' and she responded that the second aircraft was around the same altitude.  I remember looking into ZZZZZ airspace just to see the aircraft she was referring to and seeing two aircraft around 5000 FT.  I assumed these were the two aircraft she had just reported.  After hearing the news that the search and rescue aircraft did; in fact; locate a downed aircraft.  I became concerned that the previous night's ELT reports had not been reported beyond the FLM or taken seriously which; in my mind was upsetting.  I don't know for a fact that these ELT reports were directly related to the aircraft accident that was found a day later but the potential is enough for me to report my concern over the possible disregard of ELT reports. Ensure that all ELT reports are escalated to the appropriate level of management in order to ensure the timely response of search and rescue crews in the unfortunate case of an aircraft accident.
TRACON Controller describes hearing an ELT on the previous shift and remembers hearing being reported to the FLM on duty.  The next shift he hears about another ELT and wonders if it was the same aircraft from the night before.  The Controller wonders if the FLM took actions to locate the ELT.