[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 153 (Wednesday, August 9, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 45573]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-12888]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Transportation Security Administration


Intent to Request Approval From OMB of One New Public Collection 
of Information: National Explosives Detection Canine Team Program 
(NEDCTP), Training Course Feedback Forms

AGENCY: Transportation Security Administration, DHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) invites 
public comment on a new information collection requirement abstracted 
below that we will submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
for approval in compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act.

DATES: Send your comments by October 10, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed or delivered to Katrina Wawer, 
Attorney-Advisor, Office of the Chief Counsel, TSA-2, Transportation 
Security Administration, 601 South 12th Street, Arlington, VA 22202-
4220.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Katrina Wawer at the above address, or 
by telephone (571) 227-1995 or facsimile (571) 227-1381.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 
3501 et seq.), an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is 
not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it 
displays a valid OMB control number. Therefore, in preparation for OMB 
review and approval of the following information collection, TSA is 
soliciting comments to--
    (1) Evaluate whether the proposed information requirement is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
    (2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden;
    (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and
    (4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those 
who are to respond, including using appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms 
of information technology.

Information Collection Requirement

Purpose of Data Collection

    The National Explosives Detection Canine Team Program (NEDCTP) is a 
component of TSA's Office of Law Enforcement/Federal Air Marshal 
Service and is a cooperative partnership with participating airports 
and mass transit systems. TSA provides and trains the canines, in-depth 
training for the handlers, and partially reimburses the participating 
agency for costs associated with the teams, such as salaries, overtime, 
canine food, and veterinary care. Following training, handlers and 
supervisors are requested to complete TSA's Training Course Feedback 
Form, which captures numerical ratings and written comments about the 
quality of training instruction. The data collected provides valuable 
feedback to the program director, key staff members, instructional 
staff, and supervisors on how the material was presented and received. 
The feedback is collected, analyzed, and implementation of positive 
program changes occur as a result of the student/handler data 
collected.

Description of Data Collection

    Each student inputs the data into the Canine Web Site 
electronically prior to their departure from the training environment. 
Each student that graduates from the course of instruction completes 
the feedback form, which is part of the course curriculum. The 
estimated burden is approximately one hour or less per participant to 
read, answer, and return the questions. TSA estimates approximately 150 
course graduates will complete the form on an annual basis, for an 
annual hour burden of 150 hours.

Use of Results

    The TSA Headquarters NEDCTP staff and the Canine Support Branch in 
San Antonio, Texas, use these results to continuously evaluate the 
quality of training and improve the course curriculum and course of 
instruction. Additionally, the collected feedback provides for new 
ideas, best practices, and insight on the overall canine training 
program that TSA can evaluate during annual formal review of current 
course curriculum. TSA disseminates the information to a limited amount 
of NEDCTP staff on an as needed basis. The program director reviews 
each of the feedback forms.

    Issued in Arlington, Virginia, on August 3, 2006.
Peter Pietra,
Director of Privacy Policy and Compliance.
 [FR Doc. E6-12888 Filed 8-8-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-05-P