[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]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Information Collection; Request for Comment; Health Screening
Questionnaire
AGENCIES: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
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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 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]
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