Message forms are an extremely important part of relaying messages/traffic among stations/persons during emergencies. Here are several formats. The first is the FEMA/USFS standard, ICS 213 that Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) is now recommending for use. The second set, the General Message Form, modified, combines an ARRL Radiogram format with a General Message format used by many Incident Management Teams (two formats). All have their place, but the current emphasis is to use the General Message Form ICS 213.
General Message Form ICS 213 (FEMA/USFS standard .dot)This form can also be obtained through the FEMA or US Forest Service websites, http://www.fs.fed.us/fire/planning/nist/ics_forms.htm
There are many formats with some organizations
pre-printing information for standard uses. One-size probably doesn't fit
all!Here's an excerpt from the ARRL
website that has useful message handling considerations. "When relays are likely to be
involved, standard ARRL message format should be used. The record should show,
wherever possible:
1. A message number for reference purposes.
2. A precedence indicating the importance of the message.
3. A station of origin so any reply or handling inquiries can be referred to
that station.
4. A check (count of the number of words in the message text) so receiving
stations will know whether any words were missed.
5. A place of origin, so the recipient will know where the message came from
(not necessarily the location of the station of origin).
6. Filing time, ordinarily optional but of great importance in an emergency
message.
7. Date of origin.
The address should be complete and include a telephone number if known. The text should be short and to the point, and the signature should contain not only the name of the person sending the message but his title or connection also, if any.
Point-to-point services for direct delivery of emergency and priority traffic do not involve relays. Indeed, the full ARRL format is often not needed to record written traffic. Shortened forms should be used to save time and effort. For example, the call sign of the originating station usually identifies the place of origin. Also, the addressee is usually known and close by at the receiving station, so full address and telephone number are often superfluous. In many cases, message blanks can be designed so that only key words, letters or numbers have to be filled in and communicated. In some cases, the message form also serves as a log of the operation. Not a net goes by that you don't hear an ARL Fifty or an ARL Sixty One. Unfortunately, "greetings by Amateur Radio" does not apply well during disaster situations. You may hear an ARL text being used for health and welfare traffic, but rarely during or after the actual disaster. Currently, no ARL text describes the wind speed and barometric pressure of a hurricane, medical terminology in a mass casualty incident or potassium iodide in a nuclear power plant drill. While no one is suggesting that an ARL text be developed for each and every situation, there is no reason why amateurs can't work with the local emergency management organizations and assist them with more efficient communications."
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