[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 117 (Friday, June 18, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32873-32874]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-15556]


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FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Emergency Management Agency, as part of its 
continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites 
the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity 
to comment on the proposed collection of information. In accordance 
with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), 
this notice seeks comments concerning the Capability Assessment for 
Readiness (CAR) which collects data on the capabilities of States to 
effectively respond to major disasters and emergencies.

Supplementary Information: The CAR program was established based on the 
requirement recognized by both the U.S. Congress and FEMA that an 
assessment of State capabilities was needed to determine the States' 
readiness to effectively respond to major disasters, and secondarily 
that FEMA financial assistance to the States is being effectively 
utilized. The answers to these questions are provided in the CAR 
assessment that involves detailed programmatic questions on mitigation, 
preparedness, response, and recovery activities.
    Section 313 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act (Public Law 93-288, as amended) requires the President 
to ``conduct annual review of activities of Federal agencies and State 
and local governments in major disaster and

[[Page 32874]]

emergency assistance, in order to assure maximum coordination and 
effectiveness of such programs.''
    Section 613 of the Stafford Act concerning financial contributions 
to States for necessary and essential State and local emergency 
preparedness personnel and administrative expenses provides that the 
State ``shall make such reports in such form and content as the 
Director may require.''
    Collection of Information:
    Title: Capability Assessment for Readiness (CAR).
    Type of Information Collection: Reinstatement, with change, of a 
previously approved collection for which approval has expired.
    OMB Number: 3067-0272.
    Form Numbers: Not Applicable.
    Abstract. The CAR is needed by FEMA to determine that current 
capabilities of the States to respond to major disasters and 
emergencies. It is also an essential means of reporting to the United 
States Congress and the President on the degree to which States, as 
primary recipients of FEMA grants, are capable of performing their 
emergency management responsibilities. It provides a mechanism to 
evaluate the effectiveness of FEMA programs that are designed to help 
States attain a high level of achievement in mitigation, preparedness 
response and recovery programs. It can be used by States for: (1) 
developing strategic planning initiatives; (2) producing annual work 
plans for Federal grants based on areas requiring improvement that are 
identified in the CAR; (3) providing a basis for budget submissions to 
State legislatures; and (4) modifying CAR to establish an instrument to 
assess the capabilities of local jurisdictions.
    Affected Public: State, Local, or Tribal Government (U.S. States 
and Territories).
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,680 annually; 3,360 
biennially.

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                                       Number of                               Hours per
             FEMA forms               Respondents    Frequency of Response     response     Annual burden hours
                                          (A)                 (B)                 (C)         (A  x  B  x  C)
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                                               56  Biennial................            60  3,360.
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Total..............................            56  Biennial................            60  3,360.
                                                                                           1,680 on an annual
                                                                                            basis.
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    Estimated Cost. Cost to Federal Government is $470,500. The cost to 
the States is $87,360.

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) determine an estimated cost of 
the proposed data collections to respondents; (d) enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (e) 
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 should be received on or before 
August 17, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons should submit written comments to Muriel 
B. Anderson, FEMA Information Collections Officer, Federal Emergency 
Management Agency, 500 C Street, SW, Room 316, Washington, DC 20472. 
Telephone number (202) 646-2625. FAX number (202) 646-3524, e-mail: 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information contact 
Alfred J. Ranno, Preparedness, Training, and Exercises Directorate, at 
(202) 646-3137. Contact Ms. Anderson at (202) 646-2625 for copies of 
the proposed collection of information.

    Dated: June 7, 1999.
Reginald Trujillo,
Director, Program Services Division, Operations Support Directorate.
[FR Doc. 99-15556 Filed 6-17-99; 8:45 am]
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