[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 36 (Tuesday, February 24, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8478-8479]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-3896]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), as part of its 
continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden,

[[Page 8479]]

invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this 
opportunity to comment on a proposed new information collection. In 
accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)), this notice seeks comments on the National Disaster 
Medical System (NDMS) Credential File and Database Tracking System. 
This system will be used to collect data through an on-line application 
for the purpose of verifying credentials, licenses, and accreditation 
of health professional volunteers.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The information collection will be conducted 
pursuant to the requirements of Public Law 107-188, The Public Health 
Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 (42 
U.S.C. Section 247d-7b) and Title III of the Public Health Act, Section 
107, Emergency System for Advance Registration of Health Professions 
Volunteers (Part B of Title III, as amended by Sections 319 H and 319 
I, Emergency System for Verification of Credentials of Health 
Professions Volunteers). Congress has mandated that FEMA establish a 
credentialing program and system to ensure that all health care 
professionals who volunteer for participation in the NDMS are 
credentialed, accredited, and licensed.

Collection of Information

    Title: National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) Credential File and 
Database Tracking System.
    OMB Number: 1660-NEW3.
    Form Numbers: E-Form 90-136, Office of Emergency Response 
Credentialing System On-Line Application.
    Abstract: FEMA will collect information conducive to the 
verification and credentialing of volunteer health care providers for 
the NDMS. The credentialing process is aimed at securing a qualified 
and competent medical response force. Participation is voluntary. 
However, refusal by a team member or an applicant to provide personal, 
educational, and training information will result in their credentials 
not being verified and authenticated, thus rendering them ineligible to 
serve.
    Affected Public: Individuals and households--volunteer individuals 
in health care and related occupations.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 13,584.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                  Annual burden
           FEMA forms              No. of respondents  (A)    Frequency of        Hours per      hours  (A x B x
                                                              response  (B)     response  (C)          C)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On-line.........................  750 Medical Doctors.....                 1                 3             2,250
On-line.........................  5,667 Others............                 1            2(\1\)            11,334
                                 ---------------------------
    Total.......................  6,417...................                 1  ................           13,584
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(\1\) Average of 1-3 hours based on occupation-specific requested information.

    Estimated Cost to Respondents: There is no capital or start-up cost 
to respondents resulting from this information collection other than 
the wage rate equivalent for time spent filling out the application 
form. Based on a pay scale ranging from GS-05 to GS-15 and average 
completion time of 2.5 hours, the cost per respondent to provide the 
information averages $34 per hour. The total estimated annual cost to 
respondents for this information collection is $461,856.
    Estimated Cost to the Agency: $1.48 million over a 3-year period, 
which averages $493,333 per year.
    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 must be received on or before April 
26, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons should submit written comments on the 
proposed information collection to Muriel B. Anderson, Chief, Records 
Management Branch, FEMA at 500 C Street, SW., Room 316, Washington, DC 
20472, facsimile number (202) 646-3347, or email address 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact CAPT Ana Marie Balingit-Wines, 
Credentialing Program Manager, FEMA/NDMS at 301-443-2057. You may 
contact Ms. Anderson for copies of the proposed information collection 
(see addressee information above).

    Dated: February 10, 2004.
Edward W. Kernan,
Division Director, Information Resources Management Division, 
Information Technology Services Directorate.
[FR Doc. 04-3896 Filed 2-23-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-09-P