Start here: ICS 213 is FEMA’s General Message form for recording and delivering incident messages that need clear routing, hard-copy delivery, approval, or reply; it is not a universal substitute for every resource or medical form.
Picture the operating situation
A useful ICS 213 preserves who sent the message, who should receive it, the subject, date and time, the exact message, approval, and any reply. Radio transmission must preserve that information accurately.
Use this sequence
- Use the current form or agency-approved equivalent.
- Fill the incident, to, from, subject, date, and time fields before transmission.
- Write a concise message that separates facts, requests, and required action.
- Obtain approval when the organization requires it.
- Confirm receipt, record reply and delivery, and retain the form under the incident documentation plan.
Common ways the plan fails
- Using ICS 213 for a resource request when the incident requires ICS 213RR or another form.
- Adding interpretation while relaying the message.
- Transmitting personally identifiable or sensitive information on an open channel without direction.
Operating boundary:
Follow current license conditions, land or facility rules, the active communication plan, and the responsible organization’s directions. Keep antennas and supports away from power lines and uncontrolled public access. Do not self-deploy to an incident.
Primary source
Rules and response doctrine change. Confirm the current requirement at FEMA ICS Form 213 and instructions before relying on this guide.
