[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 42 (Friday, March 3, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10953-10954]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-3080]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Request for Comment; Health Screening 
Questionnaire

AGENCIES: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and 
organizations on the extension with revision 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 
perform safely their assigned duties as a firefighter.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before May 2, 2006 to 
be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date will be 
considered to the extent practicable.

ADDRESSES: Comments concerning this notice should be addressed to Ron 
Hanks, Forest Service National Aviation Safety and Training 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) 387-5607 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 through 
Friday m.d.t. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to (208) 387-5607 
to facilitate entry to the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ron Hanks, Forest Service National 
Aviation Safety and Training Officer, at (208) 387-5607. Individuals 
who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the 
Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339, 24 hours a day, every 
day of the year, including holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Health Screening Questionnaire.

[[Page 10954]]

    OMB Number: 0596-0164.
    Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 2006.
    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 seeking recertification as a 
firefighter. The information collected pertains to an individual's 
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 wildfire. Forest 
Service employees will evaluate 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 form will be revised to 
exclude the words ``or over the counter'' from the second item under 
``Section A'' under subhead ``Other Health Issues.'' We make this 
change because prescription medications indicate a condition being 
treated by a physician, and therefore, represent an indication of the 
individual's health. Individuals determined 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 (Incident Qualifications and 
Certification Card) and applicants seeking Forest Service firefighter 
positions.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 15,000.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondents: 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 agencies, 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 request for Office of 
Management and Budget approval.

     Dated: February 17, 2006.
Robin L. Thompson,
Associate Deputy Chief, S&PF.
[FR Doc. E6-3080 Filed 3-2-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P