[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 38 (Tuesday, February 27, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8762-8763]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-3282]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Federal Emergency Management Agency


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency, DHS.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), as part of its 
continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites 
the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity 
to comment on a proposed revised information collection. In accordance 
with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice seeks comments 
concerning the National Incident Management System (NIMS) Compliance 
Assistance Support Tool (NIMSCAST), a self-assessment tool for State, 
territorial, tribal, and local governments to evaluate and report on 
their jurisdiction's achievement with regards to NIMS implementation 
activities issued by FEMA's NIMS Integration Center.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Homeland Security Presidential Directive 5 
(HSPD-5) Management of Domestic Incidents called for the establishment 
of a single, comprehensive NIMS. The NIMS is a system that improves 
response operations through the use of the Incident Command System 
(ICS) and other standard procedures and preparedness measures. It also 
promotes development of multi-jurisdictional, statewide and interstate 
regional mechanisms for coordinating incident management and obtaining 
assistance during large-scale or complex incidents. HSPD-5 dictated 
that Federal departments and agencies shall make adoption of the NIMS a 
requirement for the provision of Federal preparedness assistance funds. 
HSPD-5 also established and designated the NIMS Integration Center as 
the lead Federal agency to coordinate NIMS compliance. One of the 
primary functions of the NIMS Integration Center is to ensure NIMS 
remains an accurate and effective management tool through refining and 
adapting compliance requirements to address ongoing preparedness needs. 
To accomplish this, the NIMS Integration Center relies on input from 
Federal, State, local, tribal, multi-discipline and private authorities 
to assure continuity and accuracy of ongoing efforts.
    NIMS compliance must be an ongoing effort as new personnel must be 
trained and plans must be revised to reflect lessons learned. States 
play an important role in ensuring the effective implementation of the 
NIMS. They must ensure that the systems and processes are in place to 
communicate the NIMS requirements to local jurisdictions and support 
them in implementing the NIMS. The long-term benefit of adopting and 
implementing the NIMS is that it strengthens our nation's capabilities 
to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from any incident.
    The NIMSCAST is designed to reflect the newly-released FY 2007 
implementation activities and metrics and to inform the NIMS 
Integration Center and the Department of Homeland Security of any given 
jurisdiction's compliance with the NIMS.

Collection of Information

    Title: NIMS Compliance Assistance Support Tool (NIMSCAST).
    Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved 
collection.
    OMB Number: 1660-0087.
    Form Numbers: None.
    Abstract: The NIMSCAST is the tool utilized to (a) Evaluate a 
State, territory, tribal, and local government's compliance with 
standards and requirements established in the NIMS and/or NIMS 
Integration Center, (b) determine eligibility for Federal preparedness 
assistance, and (c) strengthen incident management programs at the 
department, agency, or jurisdiction level.
    Affected Public: State, local or tribal government.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 280.

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    Data collection activity/        Number of     Frequency of     Hour burden       Annual       Total annual
           instrument               respondents      responses     per response      responses      hour burden
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NIMSCAST:
States and Territories..........              56               1               5              56             280
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    Total.......................              56               1               5              56             280
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    Estimated Cost: The annual cost to respondents is calculated based 
on 280 hours of annual burden completed by state emergency management 
specialists with a median wage of $22.10 per hour for a total burden of 
$6,188.
    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 collection of information, 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 technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic 
submission of responses. Comments must be submitted on or before April 
30, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons should submit written comments to Chief,

[[Page 8763]]

Records Management and Privacy, Information Resources Management 
Branch, Information Technology Services Division, Federal Emergency 
Management Agency, 500 C Street, SW., Room 609, Washington, DC 20472.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Marc Tagliento, NIMS 
Integration Center's Compliance and Technical Assistance Branch, (202) 
646-2687 for additional information. You may contact the Records 
Management Branch for copies of the proposed collection of information 
at facsimile number (202) 646-3347 or e-mail address: [email protected].

    Dated: February 16, 2007.
John A. Sharetts-Sullivan,
Chief, Records Management and Privacy, Information Resources Management 
Branch, Information Technology Services Division, Federal Emergency 
Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security.
 [FR Doc. E7-3282 Filed 2-26-07; 8:45 am]
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