ICS213 General Message

Introduction.

This is a radio delivery based ICS213 template. It is as close to a FEMA ICS213 as possible within the constraints of Winlink Express.

* NOTE on printing:

Printing this form is dependent upon your selected printer and its settings. Various Web Browsers and and their viewing sizes are not all the same. Printing from a browsers print function may be different from the operating systems default print mode. Select what works for you, for both printing and viewing. You may print direct to the printer as a HTML or save as a PDF then print the PDF. In some instances Landscape mode may print better than Portrait.

Purpose.

The General Message (ICS213) is used by incident dispatchers or others to record incoming messages that cannot or should not be orally transmitted to the intended recipients. The ICS213 may be used by the Incident Command Post or other incident personnel to transmit messages (e.g., resource orders, incident name change, other coordination / information issues, to the Incident Communications Center for transmission via radio or telephone to the addressee. The form is used to send any message or notification to incident personnel that requires hard-copy delivery. A digital delivery is best for complex requests or instructions. This sent ICS213 has the message information in plain text within the message body so non-Express users can read, as they do not have the rendered HTML.

Preparation.

The ICS213 may be initiated by incident dispatchers or any other personnel on an incident. Amateur Radio communicators make use of the 213 for messages beyond the incident and for wider purposes than designed. This is a good use of this versatile form.

To Reply you may type in the message as given or copy and paste the information from the sender, (if not you), by use of a USB Thumb Drive if so equipped. The form allows local time or UTC (Z) to be used. Default is UTC.

If you receive an ICS213 and need to REPLY, the message CANNOT be replied to from the viewed HTML as the entry boxes are locked. If needed you may print the inbound ICS 213 for delivery to obtain a response that can be typed in by you. Or obtain a plain text Reply from a USB Thumb Drive.

To create the Reply 213 go to the message, double click the 213 in question and use the REPLY tab at the top. Now you may enter the response into the Reply box or copy and paste the response in. Then SUBMIT the completed ICS213 for Outbox posting.

Notes:

A copy of the ICS213 should be sent to and maintained within the Documentation Unit. A copy of all your Express traffic is in your Sent Items folder. You may wish to create a Personal Folder for the event and move your desired traffic into it. Winlink Express has an Export/Import feature so you can save this folder on your desktop or elsewhere if desired. You can even send the folder to another Express user for them to import. This Template has a message # to help record and identify the 213, as requested by many radio operators. It is the sending call sign base or tactical, with an incremented sequence number that you can control.