The U.S. Coast Guard Incident Management Handbook (CG-IMH) is a practical, quick-reference job aid that helps Coast Guard responders apply the National Incident Management System (NIMS) Incident Command System (ICS) during emergencies and planned events. It is guidance—not policy—and expects leaders to use judgment while keeping ICS scalable and flexible. Its purpose is to help the Coast Guard “lead in crisis” and work seamlessly with federal, state, tribal, local, NGO, and private-sector partners through shared terminology and processes. The handbook is organized to build competence quickly. Early chapters explain ICS principles, common responsibilities, and how command, operations, planning, logistics, finance/administration, and (when needed) intelligence/investigations fit together. A central thread is the Incident Action Planning Process, including the operational period “Planning-P,” which sets a repeatable cadence of briefings and meetings so objectives, tactics, and assignments stay clear and measurable each operational period. It stresses ICS forms like the 201 for rapid briefings. Later annexes apply ICS to Coast Guard missions such as search and rescue, mass rescue operations, maritime security, oil spills, and severe weather or Presidentially Declared Disasters. The 2025 edition updates key NIMS/NRF concepts and expands guidance on multiagency coordination, community lifelines, intelligence and investigations, and information/communications technology support. It also highlights newer capability areas—unmanned aircraft support, cyber response, and critical incident stress management—so teams coordinate faster, safer, and with stronger unity of effort.