[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 142 (Tuesday, July 26, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43166-43167]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-14664]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Federal Emergency Management Agency


Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB 
Review; 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 (FEMA) is submitting a 
request for reinstatement of a previously approved collection of 
information under the emergency processing procedures in Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) regulation 5 CFR 1320.13. FEMA is 
requesting that this information collection be approved by August 26, 
2005. The approval will authorize FEMA to use the collection through 
February 26, 2006. To help us with the timely processing of the 
emergency clearance submission to OMB, FEMA invites the general public 
to comment on the proposed collection of information.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public Law 106-398, Fire Investment and 
Response Enhancement (FIRE) Act, Title XVII--Assistance to 
Firefighters, recognized that America's fire departments provide 
service and protection with impact far beyond the borders of the 
communities that support them. In order to provide this service and 
protection with the effectiveness, speed, and safety that their home 
communities and the nation as a whole demand, many fire departments, 
local community and state entities will need to increase their 
resources, in any of several categories. PL 106-398 created a fund to 
support worthy proposals to address these needs. But PL 106-398 also 
recognized that our current understanding of the magnitude and nature 
of fire department needs is not well defined. Furthermore, the 
rationale for Federal government assistance to meet these needs is also 
in need of greater definition, given the normal presumption that 
routine fire protection is a local function, set to meet locally 
defined goals and supported by local resources. Accordingly, PL 106-
398, Section 1701, Sec. 33 (b) required that the Director of the 
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) conduct a study to define 
the current role and activities associated with the fire services; 
determine the adequacy of current levels of funding; and provide a 
needs assessment to identify shortfalls.
    Collection of Information:
    Title: U.S. Fire Service Needs Assessment Survey.
    Type of Information Collection: Reinstatement, with change, of a 
previously approved collection.
    OMB Number: 3067-0294.
    Abstract: The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program 
Reauthorization Act of 2004 includes a

[[Page 43167]]

requirement for new information in a study and report on assistance to 
firefighters (Sec. 3603). The Administrator of the U.S. Fire 
Administration (USFA) is directed to conduct a study, in conjunction 
with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), to (a) ``define 
the current roles and activities associated with the fire services on a 
national, State, regional, and local level;'' (b) ``identify the 
equipment, staffing, and training required to fulfill the roles and 
activities'' defined in (a);(c) ``conduct an assessment to identify 
gaps between what fire departments currently possess and what they 
require to meet the equipment, staffing, and training needs'' 
identified under (b) ``on a national and State-by-State basis''; and 
(d) measure the impact of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program. 
The act authorizes $300,000 for FY 2005 for this work.
    Affected Public: State, Local or Tribal Governments; Not-for-Profit 
Institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 5,000.
    Estimated Time per Respondent: 20 minutes (.33 hours).
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,665 hours.
    Estimated Cost: The total cost to the Federal government is 
estimated at $273,645.00. Cost to all respondents combined totals 
$30,772.00 with an average cost per respondent of $6.00. Estimated 
respondents cost is based on a national mean hourly rate of $18.65 for 
firefighter occupations.
    Frequency of Response: One-time only survey.
    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 information collection, 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 technology, e.g., permitting 
electronic submission of responses. Submit comments to OMB within 30 
days of the date of this notice. To ensure that FEMA is fully aware of 
any comments or concerns that you share with OMB, please provide us 
with a copy of your comments. FEMA will continue to accept comments 
from interested persons through September 26, 2005). Submit comments to 
the FEMA address listed below:
    OMB Address: Interested persons are invited to submit written 
comments on the proposed information collection to the Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attn: OMB Desk Officer for the 
Federal Emergency Management Agency, Emergency Preparedness & Response 
Directorate, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, (Proposed 
reinstatement of a previously approved information collection (OMB 
3067-0294, U.S. Fire Service Needs Assessment Survey), facsimile number 
(202) 395-6974.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection should be made to Chief, Records 
Management, Information Resources Management Branch, Information 
Technology Services Division, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 
Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate, U.S. Department of 
Homeland Security, 500 C Street, SW., Room 316, Washington, DC 20472. 
Facsimile number (202) 646-3347, or at e-mail address [email protected].

    Dated: July 18, 2005.
George S. Trotter,
Acting Branch Chief, Information Resources Management Branch, 
Information Technology Services Division.
[FR Doc. 05-14664 Filed 7-25-05; 8:45 am]
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