[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 61 (Thursday, March 29, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17135-17136]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-7724]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Request for Comments; Health Screening 
Questionnaire

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Forest Service announces its intention to establish a new information 
collection. The collected information will enable the Forest Service to 
evaluate current employees, who are seeking certification or 
recertification for firefighter positions, as well as individuals, who 
are applying for firefighter positions, to determine if they meet the 
qualifications to safely perform assigned duties as a Forest Service 
firefighter.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before May 29, 2001.

ADDRESSES: All comments should be addressed to Wini Sorensen, National 
Safety Officer, National Interagency Fire Center, Forest Service, USDA, 
3833 South Development Avenue, Boise, ID 83705-5354.
    Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to (208) 387-5398 or 
by email to [email protected].
    The public may inspect comments received at the National Safety 
Office, National Interagency Fire Center, Forest Service, USDA, 3833 
South Development Avenue, Boise, Idaho, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday 
thru Friday MST.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wini Sorensen, National Safety 
Officer, at (208) 387-5102.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Protection Act of 1922 (16 U.S.C. 594) authorizes the Forest 
Service to fight fires on National Forest System lands.
    Individuals must complete the Health Screening Questionnaire (HSQ) 
when seeking employment as a new firefighter with the Forest Service or 
recertification as a Forest Service firefighter. Forest Service 
employees will evaluate the collected information to determine if the 
individual seeking certification or recertification may begin a 
physical

[[Page 17136]]

fitness program to train for the arduous level ``Pack Test'' of the 
Work Capacity Test. If Forest Service employees determine, based on the 
collected information, that an individual may not be physically able to 
train for the arduous level of the Work Capacity Test, the agency will 
require the individual to undergo a physical examination from a 
physician.

Description of Information Collection

    The following describes the information collection to be 
established:
    Title: Health Screening Questionnaire (HSQ).
    OMB Number: New.
    Expiration Date of Approval: New.
    Type of Request: This is a new information collection that has not 
yet received approval from the Office of Management and Budget.
    Abstract: Forest Service personnel at Forest Service Ranger 
Districts, Forest Service Supervisors' Offices, Forest Service Research 
Stations, or the Area Office will evaluate the collected data to ensure 
that individuals seeking recertification as a Forest Service 
firefighter, as well as those applying to become certified, will meet 
the physical and health requirements of the position.
    Forest Service employees will collect information on the current 
general health of the individual, such as height, weight, and current 
level of physical activity; previous serious health conditions, such as 
life threatening injury, diseases, or heart conditions; and special 
current conditions, such as diabetes or allergies. Individuals 
determined to be in sufficient health will be asked to complete the 
``Work Capacity Tests,'' which would include testing the level of the 
individual's aerobic fitness, level of muscular strength, and muscle 
endurance.
    The information provided by an individual will be placed in the 
individual's Official Employee Medical File. As required under The 
Privacy Act (5 USC 552a), the information will not be available to any 
other agency or individual.
    Data gathered in this information collection is not available from 
other sources.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: 5 minutes.
    Type of Respondents: Current employees requesting certification or 
recertification as a firefighter (Red-Card) and applicants seeking 
Forest Service firefighter positions.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 15,000.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,250 hours.

Comment Is Invited

    The agency invites comments on the following: (a) Whether the 
proposed collection of information is necessary for the stated purposes 
and the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including 
whether the information will have practical or scientific utility; (b) 
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) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and 
clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize 
the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including 
the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Use of Comments

    All comments received in response to this notice, including names 
and addresses when provided, will become a matter of public record. 
Comments will be summarized and included in the request for Office of 
Management and Budget Approval.

    Dated: March 21, 2001.
Michael T. Rains,
Deputy Chief, State and Private Forestry.
[FR Doc. 01-7724 Filed 3-28-01; 8:45 am]
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