[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 32 (Wednesday, February 16, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8783-8785]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-03297]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Fire & Aviation Management Medical 
Qualifications Program

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; request for comment.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
USDA Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals 
and organizations on the renewal with revisions of a currently approved 
information collection, Fire & Aviation Management Medical 
Qualifications Program.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before April 18, 2022 
to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date will 
be considered to the extent practicable.

ADDRESSES: Commenters are encouraged to submit comments by email, if 
possible. You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
     Email: [email protected].
     Mail: Dr. Jennifer Symonds, USDA Forest Service, National 
Interagency Fire Center, 3833 South Development Avenue, Boise, Idaho 
83705.
     Hand Delivery/Courier: Dr. Jennifer Symonds, USDA Forest 
Service, National Interagency Fire Center, 3833 South Development 
Avenue, Boise, Idaho 83705.

[[Page 8784]]

     Facsimile: 208-387-5735.
    The public may inspect comments received at the National 
Interagency Fire Center, during normal business hours. Visitors are 
encouraged to call ahead to facilitate entry to the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Jennifer Symonds, Forest Service 
Wildland Fire Medical Qualifications Program Manager, at 208-387-5978. 
Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may 
call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 twenty-four 
hours a day, every day of the year, including holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Fire & Aviation Management Medical Qualifications Program.
    OMB Number: 0596-0164.
    Expiration Date of Approval: November 30, 2022.
    Type of Request: Renewal with revisions of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: The Protection Act of 1922 (16 U.S.C. 594) authorizes the 
Forest Service to fight fires on National Forest System lands. This 
information collection is an approved Forest Service collection. The 
collection covers the USDA Forest Service and the Department of the 
Interior and contains the information collection activities and burden 
hours for both agencies.
    Wildland firefighters perform long hours of arduous labor in 
adverse environmental conditions. It is imperative that these 
firefighters be in sufficient physical condition to avoid injury to 
themselves or their coworkers. Federal employees and private 
individuals seeking employment as a firefighter with the Forest 
Service, or the Department of Interior complete the health capability 
forms. This information collection covers the forms and burden hours 
associated with the private individuals who apply for firefighter 
positions with the aforementioned agencies.
    Form FS-5100-30, Work Capacity Test--Informed Consent. The form is 
signed by those deemed to be in sufficient health to undergo a Work 
Capacity Test. The Work Capacity Test determines the level of an 
individual's aerobic fitness, level of muscular strength, and muscle 
endurance. The consent form is necessary to ensure the individual 
taking the test is aware of the various testing levels (arduous, 
moderate, and light) and the risks involved. The individual indicates 
the following:
     They have read the information on the form, the brochure 
``Work Capacity Test'' and understand the purpose, instructions, and 
risks of the test;
     They have read the information, understood, and truthfully 
answered the Health Screen Questionnaire; and
     Test to be taken--pack test (arduous), field test 
(moderate), or walk test (light).
    Failure to collect this data could result in injuries or deaths 
during the ``Work Capacity Test'' and while working on wildland fires. 
The information provided by an applicant for Federal employment is 
stored in secured electronic official files, maintained according to 
Agency regulations. The information gathered is not available from 
other sources.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: 5.5 Minutes.
    Type of Respondents: Individuals.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 20,504.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondents: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,845 hours.

    Form FS-5100-31, Health Screening Questionnaire. Prospective fire 
personnel must complete this form when seeking employment as new fire 
personnel with the Forest Service or Department of the Interior. This 
form collects the following information:

 Name and Unit;
 Medical history;
 Current medical symptoms;
 Other health history and issues; and
 Cardiovascular risk factors.

    The information collected pertains to an individual's health status 
and health history in an effort to determine if any physical conditions 
exist that might result in injury or death during fitness testing or 
when fighting a wildfire. If Federal Agency officials determine, based 
on the collected information, that an individual may not be physically 
able to train for or take a Work Capacity Test; the agency will require 
the individual to undergo a physical examination by a physician.
    Failure to collect this data could result in injuries or deaths 
during the ``Work Capacity Test'' and while working on wildland fires. 
The information provided by an applicant for Federal employment is 
stored in secured electronic official files, maintained according to 
Agency regulations. The information gathered is not available from 
other sources.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: 10 Minutes.
    Type of Respondents: Individuals.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 20,504.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondents: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 3,417 hours.
    Form FS-5100-41, USFS Wildland Firefighter Medical Qualifications 
Program Physical Exam. Federal employees and private individuals 
seeking employment as a firefighter with the Forest Service will 
complete the form every three years (years 0, 3, 6, etc.). The form 
collects the following information:

 Name, Federal Employee Number (if applicable), Sex and Date of 
Birth;
 Address, Email Address, and Telephone Number;
 Physical Activity Level and Fire Experience with Home Unit and 
Forest;
 Past Medical History;
 Current medical symptoms; and
 Other health issues.

    The information collected pertains to an individual's health status 
and health history in an effort to determine if any medical or physical 
conditions exist that might result in injury or death during fitness 
testing or when fighting a wildfire. If Federal Agency officials 
determine, based on the collected information, that an individual may 
not be medically or physically able to train for or take a Work 
Capacity Test or meet the Medical Standards of arduous duty fire 
positions, the individual may request a waiver.
    The information provided by a firefighter for Federal employment is 
stored in secured official files, maintained according to Agency 
regulations. The information gathered is not available from other 
sources.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: 2 to 3 hours.
    Type of Respondents: Individuals.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 10,252.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondents: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 20,504-30,756 hours.
    Form FS-5100-42, Self-Certification Statement and Blood Pressure 
Check. Federal employees and private individuals seeking employment as 
a firefighter with the Forest Service will complete the form the years 
in which the individual does not complete an Arduous Duty Examination. 
The form collects the following information:

 Name and Date of Birth;
 Home Unit and Forest
 Medical history;
 Current medical symptoms; and
 Other health issues.

    The information collected pertains to an individual's health status 
and health history in an effort to determine if any medical or physical 
conditions exist that might result in injury or death during fitness 
testing or when fighting a

[[Page 8785]]

wildfire. If Federal Agency officials determine, based on the collected 
information, that an individual may not be medically or physically able 
to train for or take a Work Capacity Test or meet the Medical Standards 
of arduous duty fire positions, the individual may request a waiver.
    The information provided by a firefighter for Federal employment is 
stored in secured official files, maintained according to Agency 
regulations. The information gathered is not available from other 
sources.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: 10 Minutes.
    Type of Respondents: Individuals.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 10,252.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondents: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,709 hours.
    TOTAL Estimate of Annual Burden: 145.5-205.5 Minutes.
    TOTAL Type of Respondents: Individuals.
    TOTAL Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 20,504.
    TOTAL Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondents: 1.
    TOTAL Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 27,475-30,756 
hours.
    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 Agency, 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 submission request 
toward Office of Management and Budget approval.

Jaelith Rivera,
Deputy Chief, State & Private Forestry.
[FR Doc. 2022-03297 Filed 2-15-22; 8:45 am]
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