YAVAPAI COUNTY ARES/RACES THE ICS-213 MESSAGE FORM AND PASSING MESSAGE TRAFFIC

TO MOVE THE MESSAGE FORWARD…. BASIC OPERATIONS What is our primary objective as ARES/RACES operators? TO MOVE THE MESSAGE FORWARD….

Getting The Message Through CB Radio Agency Radio Ham Radio GMRS Radio FRS Radio Carrier Pigeon Runner Telephone Smoke Signals Satellite Phone

Message Handling Fundamentals BASIC OPERATIONS Message Handling Fundamentals Using the ICS Form 213

BASIC OPERATIONS Why not use the ARRL Radiogram message form? Why ARES/RACES members should learn to use the ICS-213 message form.. Why not use the ARRL Radiogram message form? The ARRL Radiogram is not compatible with the current Incident Command system message format.. Public Service Agencies are making the transition to ICS Systems and Procedures.. The ICS-213 is currently used by The Arizona Department of Emergency Management.. The ICS-213 is also the choice of the Yavapai County Office of Emergency Management..

BASIC OPERATIONS Objectives • Understand the sections of the ICS 213 General Message Form Learn what content belongs in each section • Practice completing a form • Review the form after completion

The ICS-213 Form Header Message Message Signature Block Reply ARES/RACES Operator Message Signature Block Reply ARES/RACES Operator Reply Signature Block

The ICS-213 Form THE HEADER Ann Morris Red Cross Disaster Services John Williams Redwood Shelter Mgr Meals 03/15/08 1435 Message Tracking Data (Date/Time)

The ICS-213 Form THE MESSAGE THE MESSAGE SIGNATURE BLOCK John Williams WILL NEED 59 MEALS FOR DINNER. PLEASE ADVISE ETA. THE MESSAGE SIGNATURE BLOCK John Williams REDWOOD SHELTER MANAGER WA6ZZJ

The ICS-213 Form

SENDING THE MESSAGE Redwood makes contact with Net Control Redwood Shelter sends the message to the Red Cross Redwood makes contact with Net Control Redwood “Redwood Shelter” Net Control will answer “Redwood Shelter”. Redwood “Traffic for Red Cross”. Net Control will answer “Call your station and take your traffic to channel 6” (147.420).

SENDING THE MESSAGE Redwood makes contact with “Red Cross”. Redwood “Red Cross (pause) Redwood Shelter with traffic”. The Red Cross will answer “Red Cross” and if ready to copy “ go ahead with your traffic”. Redwood “Go to channel 6 to pass the traffic”. Once on channel 6 re-establish contact with Red Cross to make sure signal path is good. Once traffic is passed on channel 6 return to main net frequency and notify net control.

SEND THE MESSAGE SLOWLY SENDING THE MESSAGE SEND THE MESSAGE SLOWLY Send only as fast as you can write pausing every four to five words or at the end of a natural phrase… This will allow the receiving operator time to catch up and ask for any fills if needed. Sending at a slow pace will save time overall by not having to do several ‘repeats’.

SENDING THE MESSAGE SENDING THE ICS-213 When sending the ICS-213 say the headings along with text: To: Ann Morris Position: Red Cross Disaster Services From: John Williams Position: Redwood Shelter Manager Subject: Meals Date: 3/15/08 Time: 1435 Message: Will need 59 meals for dinner. Please advise ETA. Signature: John Williams Position: Redwood Shelter Manager

SENDING THE REPLY The TO: Becomes the From The From Becomes the TO:

SENDING THE REPLY THE REPLY THE REPLY SIGNATURE BLOCK Ann Morris MEALS PROVIDED BY SMITH CATERING. ETA 1700 HOURS. THE REPLY SIGNATURE BLOCK Ann Morris 03/15/08 1515 RED CROSS KC7XXX

SENDING THE REPLY Reply Message Box Date Time Signature Block Reply Tracking Data (Date/Time) ARES/RACES Operator

SENDING THE MESSAGE (Recap) Always PRINT when filling out the message form... Legibility is a top priority... Send SLOOOOOWLY… In a message the punctuation mark, period, is sent as “period” and not x-ray as in NTS messages… Make sure the message has a signature on it… If someone from a served agency brings in a filled out message form to be sent, review the message contents while they are still close at hand for any needed clarifications…

COMMUNICATIONS LOG LOGGING REQUIREMENTS ALL ARES/RACES STATIONS SHOULD MAINTAIN COMPLETE LOGS of all communications that occur during any period of activation.  ALL LOGS, INCLUDING COPIES OF ALL FORMAL TRAFFIC, SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE ARES/RACES DEC/EC.  These logs will be kept as a part of ARES/RACES records… These logs should be submitted at the end the operational period they cover and should be received by the DEC/EC no later than five (5) days after conclusion of the activation.  If an operator requires copies for his/her own log, copies should be made and the originals remain with ARES/RACES… 

COMMUNICATIONS LOG THE COMMUNICATIONS LOG Event: Enter the name of the event for which the log is being kept. Date: Enter date for this log. Page __of __: Sequentially number all pages for the operational period covered by the log. Operational Period: Enter the time interval for which the form applies. Record the start and end date (month, day, year) and time (24 hour local time). Station ID: Enter tactical call sign (if assigned, otherwise amateur call used) of the station. Time: enter time (24 hour local) the communications took place. From/To: Enter the station that was contacted (To) or the station that contacted you (From). Only one of the sections should be completed per contact. It shows if you called the other station or if they called you. Subject/Message Summary: Enter brief summary of traffic handled.

THE COMMUNICATIONS LOG Granite Creek Flood Evacuation 03/15/08 1 1 03/15/08 1000 - Redwood Shelter 1000 Redwood Shelter Operator KC7XXX 1435 Red Cross 59 meals for shelter 1515 Red Cross Reply to 03/15/08 1435 Meals ETA 1700 Hrs

Exercise portion of the training meeting…. QUESTIONS? Exercise portion of the training meeting….