[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 91 (Monday, May 12, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25951-25952]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-12374]


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FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY


Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for 
Emergency Review and Clearance by OMB; Comment Request

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has submitted 
the following request for emergency processing of a collection of 
information to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and 
clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 
35). OMB approval has been requested by May 2, 1997. FEMA is seeking 
emergency clearance to obtain data that will be used in the preparation 
of a report to the President and Congress by October 1, 1997, on the 
status of States' capabilities to respond to disaster, including a 
baseline summary of the Nation's emergency management capabilities.

Collection of Information

    Title: Capability Assessment Tool.
    Type of Review: New.
    Abstract: FEMA has developed a comprehensive emergency management 
capability assessment process to obtain baseline data of the Nation's 
emergency management system. States will use the Capability Assessment 
Tool data collection instrument to assess and develop their emergency 
management capabilities. The fiscal year 1997 data collection is the 
first assessment and will establish the baseline of capabilities. The 
States will use the baseline data to negotiate with FEMA Regions 
Performance Partnership Agreement (PPA) and annual Cooperative 
Agreement (CA) submissions to FEMA. The initial assessment is the 
beginning of a cyclical process in which similar assessments would 
occur every 2 years in step with the PPA/CA cycle, identifying 
capability improvements over time. The initial assessments should be 
completed by September 1, 1997. The data will enable FEMA to: assess 
States' emergency management performance and readiness; strategically 
manage and coordinate emergency resources at all governmental levels; 
assure that Federal funding to State and local governments under the 
PPA/CA is properly managed and targeted to those areas that need 
improvement; and, analyze program performance as part of the PPA/CA to 
satisfy the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993.
    Affected Public: State, local or tribal government.

[[Page 25952]]

    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 4,480.
    Number of Responses: 56.
    Estimated Hours Per Response: 80 hours.
    Frequency: Biennial.
    Estimated Annual Cost to Respondents: The estimated average single 
state cost is $1,640. The total estimated annual cost for 56 States and 
territories is $91,840.

COMMENTS: Written comments are solicited to (a) Evaluate whether the 
proposed data collection is necessary for the proper performance of the 
agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; 
(b) evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (c) enhance the quality, utility, and 
clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) minimize the burden 
of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including 
through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or 
other technological collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses. 
Comments on the collection of information will be accepted by FEMA 
through August 31, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Direct comments on the collection of information to the 
Office of Management and Budget, Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, ATTN: Ms. Victoria Baecher-Wassmer, Desk Officer for the 
Federal Emergency Management Agency, Washington, DC 20503. Telephone 
number (202) 395-5871.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For copies of the proposed collection 
of information, contact Muriel B. Anderson, FEMA Information 
Collections Officer, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 500 C Street, 
SW., Room 311, Washington, DC 20472. Telephone number (202) 646-2625.

    Dated: April 28, 1997.
Reginald Trujillo,
Director, Program Services Division, Operations Support Directorate.
[FR Doc. 97-12374 Filed 5-9-97; 8:45 am]
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