[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 113 (Monday, June 14, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32972-32973]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-13317]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Health Screening Questionnaire

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and 
organizations on the continuation of the information collection process 
for health screening of individuals who seek certification or 
recertification for firefighter positions. This process is known as the 
Health Screening Questionnaire. The process applies to individuals 
applying for firefighter positions and to Forest Service firefighters 
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 August 13, 
2004.

ADDRESSES: Comments concerning this notice should be addressed to Ed 
Hollenshead, 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 e-mail to: [email protected].
    The public may inspect comments received at the National Safety 
Office , National Interagency Fire Center, Forest Service, USDA, 3833 
Development Avenue, Boise, ID, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday though 
Friday m.d.t. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to (208) 387-5102 
to facilitate entry to the building.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Health Screening Questionnaire.
    OMB Number: 0596-0164.
    Expiration Date of Approval: June 12, 2004.
    Type of Request: Extension with Revision.
    Abstract: The Protection Act of 1922 (16 U.S.C. 594) authorizes the 
Forest Service to fight fires on National Forest System lands. The 
individuals that perform firefighter jobs are subjected to strenuous 
working conditions requiring long hours of arduous labor. It is 
imperative they be in peak physical condition to avoid injury to 
themselves or their coworkers.
    Current or prospective firefighters 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. The information collected pertains to the 
individuals health status and health history in an effort to determine 
if any physical conditions exist or have developed that might result in 
injury or death during fitness testing or when fighting a National 
Forest wildfire. Forest Service employees will evaluate

[[Page 32973]]

the collected information to determine if the individual seeking 
certification or recertification may begin a fitness program to train 
for the arduous level ``Pack Test'' of the Work Capacity Tests. 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.
    Information collected will be evaluated by a human resource 
specialist within the specific unit office to ensure that individuals 
applying for a position or seeking recertification meet the fitness 
requirements of the position. Forest Service employees will collect 
general information about the current health of the individual such as 
height, weight, current level of fitness activity, previous serious 
health injuries, diseases, or heart conditions, and special current 
conditions such as allergies and diabetes. The Forest Service will 
revise the form by dropping the words ``or over the counter'' from the 
second item under ``Section A'' under subhead ``Other Health Issues.'' 
This change is requested as prescription medications indicate a 
condition being treated by a physician, and therefore, represents an 
indication of the individual's health. Individual's determined to be in 
sufficient health will be asked to complete the ``Work Capacity 
Tests,'' which would include testing the level of an individual's 
aerobic fitness, level of muscular strength, and muscle endurance.
    Failure to collect this data will result in a higher number of 
unwanted injuries, or even deaths, during the ``Work Capacity Test'' 
and while working on wildland fires. If the data is not collected 
annually, there will be no way to determine if an individual's 
condition has changed since the previous year.
    The information provided by an individual will be placed in the 
person's Official Employee Medical File and any release of the 
information will be in accordance with the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a) 
and the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552). 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

    Comment is invited on: (1) Whether this 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; (2) the accuracy of the agency's 
estimate of the burden of the collection of information, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance 
the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; 
and (4) 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.
    All comments received in response to this notice, including names 
and addresses when provided, will be a matter of public record. 
Comments will be summarized and included in the submission request 
toward Office of Management and Budget approval.

    Dated: June 3, 2004.
Robin L. Thompson,
Associate Deputy Chief, State and Private Forestry.
[FR Doc. 04-13317 Filed 6-10-04; 8:45 am]
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