[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 227 (Tuesday, November 25, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66117-66118]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-29353]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Federal Emergency Management Agency


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency, Emergency Preparedness and 
Response Directorate, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

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 proposed new information collections. In accordance with 
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), this 
notice seeks comments concerning customer satisfaction with Building 
Science & Technology publications that contain guidance on construction 
practices in reducing damage from natural and man-made hazards.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Executive Order 12862 requires Federal 
agencies to survey their customers in order to determine the kind and 
quality of services they want and their level of satisfaction with 
existing services. FEMA wishes to obtain feedback from users of 
Buildings Science and Technology (BS&T) publications, particularly from 
those who have ordered publications in the past three years. The 
publications offer state-of-the-art construction practices for building 
safety and to reduce the risk of future damage from natural and man-
made hazards. The feedback project is an opportunity for customers to 
evaluate publications as a whole, with a special focus on construction 
in flood hazard areas, including coastal area. With customer feedback 
information, BS&T can revise and otherwise improve the presentation of 
technical information to better suit the needs and desires of 
customers, thereby improving building safety and successfully reducing 
future building losses from natural and man-made hazards.

Collection of Information

    Title: Building Science & Technology (BS&T) Publications Customer 
Satisfaction Research, FEMA.
    Type of Information: New.
    Abstract: (1) 2004 On-Line Survey: Since BS&T's mission is to 
improve the safety of the built environment, the feedback project 
evaluates customer satisfaction with building science publications, as 
well as customer reports on how the publications are used, their impact 
on building safety, and how they could be improved. (2) 2004 Focus 
Groups (4): With completion of the on-line survey, subject matter 
experts who use the publications will be recruited to participate in 
regional focus groups to solicit feedback on the format and content of 
BS&T publications. (3) 2005-6 Ongoing Customer Feedback: BS&T will use 
the findings of the benchmark survey not only to make needed changes 
immediately but to establish a base-line of information for judging 
whether customer satisfaction is changing over time. With each 
publication ordered, a self-mailer postcard will be included that 
encourages the customer to provide feedback on the usefulness of 
specific publications and any comments.
    Affected Public: The people and organizations affected by this 
survey include: (a) Individuals or households, (b) business or other 
for-profit, (c) not-for-profit institutions (d) Federal government, and 
(e) State, local or tribal government.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 496 hours.

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                                                     Number of                                     Annual burden
                   FEMA forms                       respondents    Frequency of      Hours per     hours  (A x B
                                                        (A)        response  (B)   response  (C)       x C)
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2004 On-Line Survey.............................           1,000               1            0.17             200
Focus Groups (4)................................              48               1            6.0              288
2005-2006 On-Going Customer Feedback............             390               1            0.02               8
                                                 -----------------
    Total.......................................            1438               1            0.02             496
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    Estimated Cost: $10,396.00.

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                                                                                  Average  cost/    Annualized
                     Program                       Burden hours   Median  hourly    respondent       cost all
                                                                      rate $          hour $        respondents
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On-Line Survey/Pre-Survey.......................             200           20.96            3.56       $4,192.00
Focus Groups....................................             288           20.96            3.56        6,036.00
On-Going Customer Feedback......................               8           20.96            3.56          168.00
                                                 -----------------
    Grand total.................................             496  ..............  ..............       10,396.00
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    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 should be

[[Page 66118]]

received within 60 days of the date of this notice.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons should submit written comments to Muriel 
B. Anderson, Chief, Records Management Branch, Information Resources 
Management Division, Information Technology Services Directorate, 
Federal Emergency Management Agency, Emergency Preparedness and 
Response Directorate, Department of Homeland Security, 500 C Street 
SW., Room 316, Washington, DC 20472.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Gary L. Sepulvado, Sr., Policy 
Analyst, BS&T, FEMA/DHS, 202-646-3355. You may contact Ms. Anderson for 
copies of the proposed collection of information at facsimile number 
(202) 646-3347 or e-mail address: [email protected].

    Dated: November 18, 2003.
Edward W. Kernan,
Division Director, Information Resources Management Division, 
Information Technology Services Directorate.
[FR Doc. 03-29353 Filed 11-24-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-13-P