[Wma-ares] ICS 213 forms continued

[Chuck Chandler]

A few days ago we looked at the header of an ICS 213 form, which contains
the Incident Name, To, From, Subject, Date and Time fields.  Today we will
look at the message body. which only has two blocks:  The Message block and
the Approval block.  Here is an example:
[image: image.png]
As you can see, the ICS message does not use the familiar ARRL Radiogram
format.  It uses normal written language including punctuation.  This is an
example of the kind of message we will be sending during our Simulated
Emergency Test.  Replace the term "North Adams" with your specific shelter
location, the number of operators and the bands and modes on which you are
operational with your own information.

Obviously, if you can establish a data mode connection using something like
WinLink standard forms, you can send this message form as an electronic
copy with just a few key strokes.  But, what if all you have is VHF simplex
voice?  How would you transmit this message?

Here is an example.  In this case the shelter site at Plainfield cannot
reach Agawam MEMA on simplex.  They will send their message through the
relay site at Jacob's Ladder, which can reach Agawam on simplex. Note that
Tactical IDs are used except at the close of each transmission, when FCC
callsigns must be given.

"JACOB JACOB THIS IS PLAINFIELD OVER"

*"PLAINFIELD THIS IS JACOB OVER"*

"JACOB THIS IS PLAINFIELD ONE MESSAGE OVER"

*"PLAINFIELD THIS IS JACOB SEND YOUR MESSAGE OVER"*

"JACOB THIS IS PLAINFIELD MESSAGE FOLLOWS BREAK
BLOCK ONE ARES 2025 SET
BLOCK TWO WAYNE MEMA REGION 3/4 AGAWAM
BLOCK 3 GARY PLAINFIELD SHELTER
BLOCK 4 SITUATION REPORT
BLOCK 5 10/4/2025
BLOCK 6 1030
HOW COPY OVER?"

*"PLAINFIELD THIS IS JACOB GOOD COPY OVER"*

"JACOB THIS IS PLAINFIELD MESSAGE CONTINUES
BLOCK 7 PLAINFIELD SHELTER COMMUNICATIONS ESTABLISHED WITH ONE OPERATOR
PERIOD VHF FM AND WINLINK CAPABILITIES PERIOD
BLOCK 8 GARY KB1AKU RADIO OPERATOR
MESSAGE ENDS HOW COPY?"

*"PLAINFIELD THIS IS JACOB ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR MESSAGE.  KC1ZZZ."*

"KB1AKU."

So, now Plainfield Shelter's message is sitting in Beckett, on KC1ZZZ's
clipboard on the side of Route 20.  Not where it needs to be yet.  The next
part of the relay chain begins with:

"AGAWAM AGAWAM THIS IS JACOB OVER"

*JACOB THIS IS AGAWAM OVER"*

AGAWAM, THIS IS JACOB ONE MESSAGE OVER"

And so on, as was done above.

Is this more time-consuming and error-prone than using a digital mode like
WinLink?  You bet it is!  However, if this is all you have, it can be
done.  Make sure you speak slowly and clearly, or if receiving write
legibly and ask for any repeats as needed to ensure clean copy.

I hope you found this to be of some help in understanding how the ICS 213
form is used for messages.

73 de Chuck, WS1L
Amateur Radio Emergency Service ®
Section Emergency Coordinator
Western Massachusetts
chandlerusm at gmail.com
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