[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 49 (Wednesday, March 14, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11931-11932]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-4584]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[U.S. DOT Docket No. NHTSA-2007-27523]


Reports, Forms, and Recordkeeping Requirements

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 
Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Request for public comment on proposed collection of 
information.

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SUMMARY: Before a Federal agency can collect certain information from 
the public, it must receive approval from the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB). Under procedures established by the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995, before seeking OMB approval, Federal agencies must solicit 
public comment on proposed collections of information, including 
extensions and reinstatements of previously approved collections. This 
document describes one collection of information for which NHTSA 
intends to seek OMB approval.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 14, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to U.S. Department of 
Transportation Dockets, 400 Seventh Street SW., 401, Washington, DC 
20590. Docket No. NHTSA-2007-27523.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Laurie Flaherty, Program Analyst, 
Office of Emergency Medical Services, National Highway Traffic Safety 
Administration, 400 Seventh Street SW, NTI-140, Room 5130, Washington, 
DC 20590. (202) 366-2705 or via e-mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 
before an agency submits a proposed collection of information to OMB 
for approval, it must publish a document in the Federal Register 
providing a 60 day comment period and otherwise consult with members of 
the public and affected agencies concerning each proposed collection of 
information. The OMB has promulgated regulations describing what must 
be included in such a document. Under OMB's regulations (at 5 CFR 
1320.8(d)), an agency must ask for public comment on the following:
    (i) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for 
the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including 
whether the information will have practical utility;
    (ii) 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;
    (iii) How to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
    (iv) How to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic 
submissions of responses. In compliance with these requirements, NHTSA 
asks public comment on the following proposed collection of 
information:

Request for Information, National E9-1-1 Implementation Coordination 
Office (National 9-1-1 Office)

    Type of Request--New information collection requirement.
    OMB Clearance Number--N/A.
    FORM Number--This collection of information uses no standard forms.
    Requested Expiration Date of Approval--Three years from date of 
approval.
    Summary of the Collection of Information--NHTSA, in cooperation 
with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration 
(NTIA), (Department of Commerce), is proposing to issue annual RFIs, 
seeking comments from all sources (public, private, governmental, 
academic, professional, public interest groups, and other interested 
parties) on operational priorities for the National Enhanced 9-1-1 
Implementation Coordination Office (National 9-1-1 Office). The 
National 9-1-1 Office was established by NHTSA and NTIA as directed by 
the Ensuring Needed Help Arrives Near Callers Employing 911 Act of 2004 
(ENHANCE 911 Act of 2004), 47 U.S.C. 942.
    The ENHANCE 911 Act of 2004 authorized two fundamental changes in 
Federal 9-1-1 responsibilities:
     Formal program and policy coordination across Federal 
agencies.
     Federal support to Public Safety Answering Points and 
related State and local agencies for E9-1-1 deployment and operations.
    Congress stated the importance of enhanced 9-1-1 service in the 
Act, finding that ``enhanced 911 is a high national priority and it 
requires Federal leadership, working in cooperation with State and 
local governments and with the numerous organizations dedicated to 
delivering emergency communications services.'' NHTSA and NTIA intend 
to use the National 9-1-1 Office to work cooperatively with public and 
private 9-1-1 stakeholders to establish a vision for the future of 9-1-
1 services in the Nation. The RFIs will solicit comments on the 
priorities and strategies of the National 9-1-1 Office to accomplish 
its functions, goals and vision. In addition, the RFIs will obtain 
expressions of interest in participating as partners and will request 
responses to specific questions, including critical 9-1-1 issues, 
benefits to stakeholders, available data and methods of collection, 
etc. These RFIs will NOT seek comment on the grant program authorized 
to be administered by the National 9-1-1 Office. The RFIs will not 
include requests for proposals or invitations for bids.
    Description of the Need for the Information and Proposed Use of the 
Information--The 9-1-1 constituency is a diverse group of entities, 
including:
    Government Agencies:
     Local, State and Federal policy, regulation, and funding 
agencies
     Local and State emergency communications agencies
     Local, State and Federal emergency response agencies
    Non-Governmental Organizations:
     Professional and industry associations
     Standards Development Organizations
     Citizen and special interest advocacy organizations
     Private emergency response and recovery organizations
     Research and academic organizations
    IT/Telecommunications Service Providers:
     ``Traditional'' telecommunication service providers

[[Page 11932]]

     ``Public Safety/emergency'' service providers
     ``Other'' IT/telecommunication application service 
providers
     IP-network access infrastructure/service providers
    IT/Telecommunications Equipment Providers:
     Equipment and support service suppliers to ``traditional'' 
telecommunication companies.
     Equipment and support service suppliers to IT network 
providers.
     ``Public Safety/emergency services network'' equipment 
providers.
     Personal communication device providers
    Third Party Emergency Call Centers:
     Third party service providers such as telematics, poison 
control, medical alert, central alarm monitoring, relay services, and 
N9-1-1 services
    In order to collect information needed to develop and implement 
effective strategies that meet the National 9-1-1 Office's mandate to 
provide leadership, coordination, guidance and direction to the 
enhancement of the Nation's 9-1-1 services, NHTSA, in cooperation with 
NTIA, must utilize efficient and effective means of eliciting the input 
and opinions of its constituency groups. If approved, the proposed 
annual RFIs would assist the National 9-1-1 Office in addressing the 
myriad of issues posed by implementing new technologies in 9-1-1 
services in a systematic, prioritized fashion, with active involvement 
of its constituency in this process. The results of the proposed annual 
RFIs would be used to: (1) Identify areas to target programs and 
activities to achieve the greatest benefit; (2) develop programs and 
initiatives aimed at cooperative efforts to Enhance 9-1-1 services 
nationwide; and (3) to provide informational support to States, 
regions, and localities in their own efforts to Enhance 9-1-1 services.
    Description of the Likely Respondents (Including Estimated Number, 
and Proposed Frequency of Response to the Collection of Information)-- 
Under this proposed effort, the National 9-1-1 Office would issue 
annual RFIs, seeking responses to specific questions and soliciting 
comments on the priorities and strategies used by the National 9-1-1 
Office to accomplish its agreed functions, goals and vision, to obtain 
expressions of interest in participating as partners. The various 
entities included in the constituency of the National 9-1-1 Office 
would be notified of the issuance of each RFI. Likely respondents would 
include companies, agencies and organizations from all of the 
constituency groups listed above, particularly local and State 
emergency communications agencies, professional and industry 
associations, ``traditional'' telecommunication service providers, 
``public safety/emergency'' service providers and special interest 
advocacy organizations. The total number of respondents is estimated at 
30 to 40.
    Estimate of the Total Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden 
Resulting From the Collection of Information--NHTSA estimates that 
responses to the questions included in the proposed RFIs would require 
an average of one hour to complete, for a total of 40 to 50 hours. The 
respondents would not incur any reporting costs from the information 
collection. The respondents also would not incur any recordkeeping 
burden or recordkeeping costs from the information collection.

(Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3506(c) (2) (A); 47 U.S.C. 942)

    Issued on: March 8, 2007.
Marilena Amoni,
Associate Administrator, Research and Program Development.
 [FR Doc. E7-4584 Filed 3-13-07; 8:45 am]
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