Homeland Security Presidential Directive 5 (HSPD-5) created the National Response Plan (NRP) to coordinate the Federal response to actual or potential incidents requiring a coordinated Federal response. The NRP grouped the capabilities of the Federal departments and agencies and the American Red Cross into emergency support functions. The full or partial activation of these emergency support functions is how the Federal Government responds to incidents. An ESF may be selectively activated for incidents requiring a coordinated Federal response and may also provide staffing for the National Response Coordination Center (NRCC), Regional Response Coordination Centers (RRCC), Unified Coordination staffs, Joint Information Centers (JIC), and Incident Command Posts (ICP) as required by the incident. The NRP created ESF #15 to ensure that sufficient Federal external affairs resources are assigned during an incident requiring a coordinated Federal response in order to provide accurate, coordinated, and timely information to affected audiences, including governments, media, the private sector, and the local populace. Providing the public timely and accurate lifesaving information during major incidents remains our highest priority. The Emergency Support Function (ESF) #15 Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) 2013 edition is our primary guiding document to coordinate outreach and ensure consistent public information through an integrated Federal incident communications system. This document, an update to the 2009 SOP, builds upon the external affairs policy established in Presidential Policy Directive 8, Homeland Security Presidential Directive 5, the National Response Framework, National Incident Management System and Incident Command System. This 2013 SOP has been updated using lessons learned from numerous incidents to include the BP oil spill, the Fukushima nuclear incident, Hurricane Sandy and the Boston Marathon attack. Guidance is also provided on accessible communications for the public and shifting the community relations function to Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams (DSAT) in FEMA's Recovery Directorate.