[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 90 (Friday, May 9, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25629-25632]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-12248]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[Program Announcement Number 742]


Implementing Hazardous Substance Training for Emergency 
Responders; Notice of Availability of Funds for Fiscal Year 1997

Introduction

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Nation's 
prevention agency, announces the availability of fiscal year (FY) 1997 
funds for a cooperative agreement to conduct a training program for 
emergency responders, primarily firefighters, who are exposed to 
hazardous materials.
    CDC is committed to achieving the health promotion and disease 
prevention objectives of Healthy People 2000, a national activity to 
reduce morbidity and mortality and improve the quality of life. This 
announcement is related to the priority area of Occupational Safety and 
Health. (For ordering Healthy People 2000 see the section Where to 
Obtain Additional Information.)

Authority

    This program is authorized under sections 21(a) and 22(e)(7) of the 
Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 670(a) and 
671(e)(7)).

Smoke-Free Workplace

    CDC strongly encourages all grant recipients to provide a smoke-
free workplace and promote the nonuse of all tobacco products, and 
Public Law 103-227, the Pro-Children Act of 1994, prohibits smoking in 
certain facilities that receive Federal funds in which education, 
library, day care, health care, and early childhood development 
services are provided to children.

Eligible Applicants

    Applications may be submitted by public and private, nonprofit and 
for-profit organizations and governments and their agencies. Thus, 
universities, colleges, research institutions, hospitals, other public 
and private organizations, State and local governments or their bona 
fide agents, federally recognized Indian tribal governments, Indian 
tribes or Indian tribal organizations, and small, minority-and/or 
woman-owned businesses are eligible to apply.

    Note: Public Law 104-65 dated December 19, 1995, prohibits an 
organization described in section 501(c)(4) of the IRS Code of 1986, 
that engages in lobbying activities to influence the Federal 
Government, from receiving Federal funds.

Availability of Funds

    Approximately $1,806,000 will be available in Fiscal Year 1997 to 
fund one cooperative agreement. This award is expected to begin on or 
about September 30, 1997, for a 12-month budget period within a project 
period of five years. Funding estimates may vary and are subject to 
change. Continuation awards within the project period will be made on 
the basis of satisfactory progress and the availability of funds.

Use of Funds

Restrictions on Lobbying

    Applicants should be aware of restrictions on the use of HHS funds 
for lobbying of Federal or State legislative bodies. Under the 
provisions of 31 U.S.C. section 1352 (which has been in effect since 
December 23, 1989), recipients (and their subtier contractors) are 
prohibited from using appropriated Federal funds (other than profits 
from a Federal contract) for lobbying Congress or any Federal agency in 
connection with the award of a particular contract, grant, cooperative 
agreement, or loan. This includes grants/cooperative agreements that, 
in whole or in part, involve conferences for which Federal funds cannot 
be used directly or indirectly to encourage participants to lobby or to 
instruct participants on how to lobby.

[[Page 25630]]

    In addition, the FY 1997 HHS Appropriations Act, which became 
effective October 1, 1996, expressly prohibits the use of 1997 
appropriated funds for indirect or ``grass roots'' lobbying efforts 
that are designed to support or defeat legislation pending before State 
legislatures. This new law, Section 503 of Pub. L. No. 104-208, 
provides as follows:

    Sec. 503(a) No part of any appropriation contained in this Act 
shall be used, other than for normal and recognized executive-
legislative relationships, for publicity or propaganda purposes, for 
the preparation, distribution, or use of any kit, pamphlet, booklet, 
publication, radio, television, or video presentation designed to 
support or defeat legislation pending before the Congress, * * * 
except in presentation to the Congress or any State legislative body 
itself.
    (b) No part of any appropriation contained in this Act shall be 
used to pay the salary or expenses of any grant or contract 
recipient, or agent acting for such recipient, related to any 
activity designed to influence legislation or appropriations pending 
before the Congress or any State legislature.
    Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, 
and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1997, as enacted by the 
Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act, 1997, Division A, Title I, 
Section 101(e), Pub. L. No. 104-208 (September 30, 1996).

Background

    In 1992, the Environmental Protection Agency reported that there 
were 7,116 CERCLA (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation 
and Liability Act) section 103(a) notifications to the Federal 
Government of release of CERCLA hazardous substances. During that same 
year, the Federal Government received 35,284 notifications to the 
Emergency Response Notification System (ERNS) data base at the 
Department of Transportation.
    It is estimated that there are between 2-3 million emergency 
responders in the country. Firefighters comprise the largest group. 
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) estimated there were a 
total of 1,073,600 firefighters in 1994 and 250,000 fire department 
calls related to hazardous materials.
    Emergency responders are at high risk for injury and illness due to 
uncontrolled exposures. An assessment of the mortality experience of 
firefighters using information from the National Occupational Mortality 
Surveillance (NOMS) systems found a high risk for falls, an excess of 
deaths from fire-related exposures and an excess of deaths from 
leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.
    This agreement will expand the current occupational health and 
safety education efforts of the CDC by targeting emergency responders 
who have a responsibility for responding to and controlling hazardous 
emergencies. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration 
regulated the safety and health of employees involved in operations 
related to uncontrolled waste sites and in any emergency response to 
incidents involving hazardous substances (29 CFR 1910.120(q)(6)). 
Training is conducted in emergency response for the purpose of 
protecting nearby persons, property and the environment. This 
cooperative agreement will significantly strengthen the occupational 
public health infrastructure by integrating resources for occupational 
safety and health research and public health prevention programs at the 
State and local levels.

Purpose

    The purpose of the award is to assist in the implementation of a 
national hazardous substance training program for emergency responders, 
primarily firefighters, in the area of hazardous materials emergency 
response. The specific objectives are:
    A. Assess the need for training nationally;
    B. Develop a five-year training plan to meet those needs;
    C. Conduct direct training and develop faculty expertise on site; 
and,
    D. Evaluate the training program and the impact of the training.

Program Requirements

    In conducting activities to achieve the purpose of this program, 
the recipient shall be responsible for conducting activities under 
A.(Recipient Activities), below, and CDC/NIOSH be responsible for 
conducting activities under B.(CDC Activities), below.

A. Recipient Activities

    1. Develop a complete plan of action to establish a five year 
national training program for hazardous materials emergency responders. 
Include collaboration with communities to establish a network among 
representatives of firefighters, police, hospitals and other community 
emergency responders.
    2. Identify and select regions and populations for training based 
on a list of criteria to be developed by the applicant and 
identification of needs by the organization.
    3. Designate groups to be trained per year, including specific 
levels of training and amount of training and types of trainees (e.g., 
volunteers and career firefighters).
    4. Select participants and conduct training programs for emergency 
responders, coordinating efforts with local, State and community 
agencies.
    5. Develop additional curricula on special topics or hazard areas 
as identified in needs surveys. Course materials utilized will be those 
which exist and meet Federal, national and State requirements and which 
have been developed specifically for emergency responders under 
federally supported programs such as those from the National Institute 
of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and revised as appropriate.
    6. Develop a plan to select and train faculty to conduct training 
classes. Audio-visual support, space, facilities, and equipment will be 
provided by the recipient.
    7. Develop and conduct an evaluation program to test knowledge, the 
effectiveness of training and the impact of the training.
    8. Maintain profile information on trainees (e.g., State, employer, 
based on existing records held by the organization.
    9. Disseminate training information to appropriate groups.

B. CDC/NIOSH Activities

    1. Provide technical assistance and consultation, through site 
visits and correspondence, in the areas of identifying needs, program 
development and implementation.
    2. Provide scientific and technical assistance in the development 
of curriculum materials.
    3. Provide on site technical consultation if needed during the 
training programs with recommendations to assist the trainers.
    4. Provide training materials, such as video tapes and published 
documents to the recipient for duplication and distribution, when 
appropriate and needed.
    5. Provide technical assistance in the development of an evaluation 
plan.
    6. Assist in the dissemination of training information to 
appropriate personnel.

Technical Reporting Requirements

    An original and two copies of the quarterly progress reports are 
due within 30 days after the end of each quarter and should include a 
summary of activities performed and any new materials developed. A 
progress report and financial status report is due 90 days after the 
end of each budget period. Final financial and performance reports are 
required no later than 90 days after the end of the project period. All 
reports are submitted to the Grants Management Branch, CDC.

[[Page 25631]]

    The quarterly progress reports must include, in addition to 
activities performed:
    A. A list of training courses delivered in the quarter, their 
location, title of the course and number of persons trained and a 
general summary of activities performed in the quarter;
    B. A comparison of actual accomplishments to the goals established 
for the period; and,
    C. Reasons for lack of success if goals were not met.
    The annual progress reports should include a summary of yearly 
activities, number and type of courses delivered, number of people 
trained and a profile of trainees, including gender, State, employer, 
type of firefighter (career or volunteer), etc.

Application Content

    The entire application, including appendices, should not exceed 75 
pages and the Proposal Narrative section contained therein should not 
exceed 30 pages. Pages should be clearly numbered and a complete index 
to the application and any appendices included. The original and each 
copy of the application must be submitted unstapled and unbound. All 
materials must be typewritten, double-spaced, with unreduced type (font 
size 12 point) on 8\1/2\'' by 11'' paper, with at least 1'' margins, 
headers, and footers, and printed on one side only.
    The applicant should provide a detailed description of first-year 
activities and briefly describe future-year objective and activities.

A. Title Page

    The heading should include the title of grant program, project 
title, organization, name and address, project director, and telephone 
number.

B. Abstract

    A one page, singled-spaced, typed abstract must be submitted with 
the application. The heading should include the title of grant program, 
project title, organization, name and address, project director and 
telephone number. This abstract should include a work plan identifying 
specific activities to be developed, specific activities to be 
completed, and a time-line for completion of these activities.

C. Narrative

    The narrative of each application must:
    1. State the applicant's understanding of the need or problem and 
the purpose of this cooperative agreement.
    2. Document and describe the need for the program.
    3. Document the applicant's expertise in developing materials and 
in providing training to emergency responders, primarily firefighters, 
in the area of hazardous materials exposures.
    4. Document the applicant's ability to provide qualified staff, 
knowledge, financial, and other resources necessary to perform the 
applicant's responsibilities in this project, and describe the approach 
to be used in carrying out those responsibilities.
    5. Describe clearly the objectives of the project for the five-year 
period, the steps to be undertaken in planning, implementing and 
evaluating this project, and the respective responsibilities of the 
applicant and any other entities for carrying out those steps.
    6. Provide a proposed schedule for accomplishing each of the tasks 
to be carried out during the project period (include a timeline for 
activities) and a method for evaluating the accomplishments.
    7. Describe the names and qualifications of the proposed staff and 
time allocated for them to accomplish program activities; the support 
staff available for the project; the instructors for the program; and 
audio-visual support, the facilities, space, and equipment available 
for the project. Submit biographical sketches on each (Use form CDC 
2.145A).
    8. Specify a proposed plan for administering this project and the 
name, qualifications, and time commitments of the Program Director who 
will be responsible for the administration of the cooperative 
agreement.
    9. Provide a detailed budget for the first 12-months and an annual 
budget for the projected five year project which indicates anticipated 
costs for staff, instructors, equipment, facilities, training, travel, 
postage, supplies, etc., and all sources of funds to meet those needs. 
Use Budget Form CDC 2.145A. Provide justification for costs.
    10. Provide letters of support from professional/community 
organizations, agencies and worker groups whose participation is 
essential for program success (such as firefighter groups, potential 
trainees, groups who will provide replacement teams, community and 
State agencies, other Federal agencies, etc.).
    11. Submit a plan for evaluating the training program and impact of 
the program.

D. Budget

    Provide a detailed budget which indicates anticipated costs for 
personnel, equipment, travel, communications, supplies, postage, and 
the sources of funds to meet these needs. The applicant should be 
precise about the program purpose of each budget item. For contracts 
described within the application budget, applicants should name the 
contractor, if known; describe the services to be performed; and 
provide an itemized breakdown and justification for the estimated costs 
of the contract; the kinds of organizations or parties to be selected; 
the period of performance; and the method of selection. Place the 
budget narrative pages showing, in detail, how funds in each object 
class will be sent, directly behind form CDC 2.145A. Do not put these 
pages in the body of the application. CDC may not approve or fund all 
proposed activities.

Evaluation Criteria

    Applications will be reviewed and evaluated according to the 
following criteria:
    A. Responsiveness to the objectives of the cooperative agreement 
including: (1) The applicant's understanding of the objectives of the 
proposed cooperative agreement, and (2) the relevance of the proposal 
to the objectives. (20%)
    B. Feasibility of meeting the proposed goals of the cooperative 
agreement including; (1) the proposed schedule for initiating and 
accomplishing each of the activities of the cooperative agreement; and, 
(2) the proposed method for evaluating the accomplishments. (20%)
    C. Strength and comprehensiveness of the training program plan 
which addresses the distinct characteristics and needs of the target 
audience and which includes the essential program elements for 
planning, conducting and evaluating training programs. (25%)
    D. Training and experience of the Program Director and staff 
including: (a) Program Director with technical expertise and education 
in the hazardous substance field, (b) faculty with training and 
experience in the appropriate technical content areas, and (c) staff 
with experience in developing curricula in hazardous materials 
emergency response and studying health and safety issues in the target 
population. (15%)
    E. The capability of accessing national firefighters who have 
responsibility for hazardous materials emergency response in order to 
ensure consistency in delivering training programs; credibility with 
State and local institutions, fire marshals and firefighters; the 
ability to bring in replacement teams for trainees; and accessibility 
to State and local educational institutions for target worker 
populations. (10%)

[[Page 25632]]

    F. Experience in curriculum development and in delivering health 
and safety emergency response programs for the target population, 
particularly in a labor education cooperative environment and 
documentation of past performance and productivity. (10%)

G. Proposed Budget (Not Scored)

    The extent to which the budget request is clearly explained, 
adequately justified, reasonable, sufficient for the proposed project 
activities, and consistent with the intended use of the cooperative 
agreement funds.

Executive Order 12372 Review

    Applications are not subject to review by Executive Order 12372.

Public Health System Reporting Requirement

    The program is not subject to the Public Health System Reporting 
Requirements.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

    The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number for this program 
is 93.263.

Other Requirements

Paperwork Reduction Act

    Projects that involve the collection of information from ten or 
more individuals and funded by this cooperative agreement will be 
subject to review and approval by the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act.

Application Submission and Deadlines

A. Application

    The original and two copies of the application PHS Form 5161-1 
(Revised 7/92, OMB Number 0937-0189) and the CDC 2.145A budget form 
must be submitted to Victoria Sepe, Grants Management Specialist, 
Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers of 
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 255 East Paces Ferry Road, NE., 
Room 321, Atlanta, GA 30305, on or before June 19, 1997.
    1. Deadline: Applications will be considered as meeting the 
deadline if they are either:
    (a) Received on or before the deadline date, or
    (b) Sent on or before the deadline date and received in time for 
submission to the objective review group. (The applicants must request 
a legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark or obtain a receipt from a 
commercial carrier or the U.S. Postal Service. Private metered 
postmarks will not be acceptable as proof of timely mailing.)
    2. Late Applicants: Applications that do not meet the criteria in 
1.(a) or 1.(b) above are considered late applications. Late 
applications will not be considered in the current competition and will 
be returned to the applicants.

Where To Obtain Additional Information

    To receive additional written information call (404) 332-4561. You 
will be asked to leave your name, address, and telephone number and 
will need to refer to Announcement 742. You will receive a complete 
program description, information on application procedures, and 
application forms. CDC will not send application kits by facsimile or 
express mail. Please refer to announcement number 742 when requesting 
information and submitting an application.
    If you have questions after reviewing the contents of all the 
documents, business management technical assistance may be obtained 
from Victoria Sepe, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management 
Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC), Mailstop E-13, Room 321, 255 East Paces Ferry Road, 
NE., Atlanta, GA, 30305, telephone (404) 842-6804, Internet: 
[email protected].
    Programmatic technical assistance may be obtained from Bernadine B. 
Kuchinski, Ph.D., Office of Extramural and Special Projects, National 
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention (CDC), 1600 Clifton Road, NE., MS D-40, Atlanta, 
GA 30333, telephone (404) 639-3342, Internet address: [email protected].
    This and other CDC announcements are available through the CDC 
homepage on the Internet. The address for the CDC homepage is: http://
www.cdc.gov.
    Potential applicants may obtain a copy of Healthy People 2000 (Full 
Report, Stock No. 017-001-00474-0) or Healthy People 2000 (Summary 
Report, Stock No. 017-001-00473-1) through the Superintendent of 
Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC, 20402-9325, 
telephone (202) 512-1800.

    Dated: May 5, 1997.
Diane D. Porter,
Acting Director, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
[FR Doc. 97-12248 Filed 5-8-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-19-P