
[Federal Register: December 24, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 248)]
[Notices]               
[Page 79138-79139]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24de08-97]                         


[[Page 79138]]

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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; 60-day notice and request for comments; Revision of a 
currently approved collection, OMB Number: 1660-0069, National Fire 
Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) v5.0.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Emergency Management Agency, 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 revised information collection. In accordance with the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice seeks comments concerning 
the continued use of the National Fire Incident Reporting System 
(NFIRS) v5.0 database.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Commission on Fire Prevention 
and Control conducted a comprehensive study of the Nation's fire 
problem and recommended to Congress actions to mitigate the fire 
problem, reduce loss of life and property, and educate the public on 
fire protection and prevention. As a result of the study, Congress 
enacted Public Law 93-498, Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 
1974, which establishes the U.S. Fire Administration to administer fire 
prevention and control programs, supplement existing programs of 
research, training, and education, and encourage new and improved 
programs and activities by State and local governments.
    Section 9(a) of the Act authorizes the Administrator, U.S. Fire 
Administration (USFA), to operate directly or through contracts or 
grants, an integrated, comprehensive method to select, analyze, 
publish, and disseminate information related to prevention, occurrence, 
control, and results of fires of all types.

Collection of Information

    Title: National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) v5.0.
    Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved 
collection.
    OMB Number: 1660-0069.
    Form Numbers: The National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) 
v5.0.
    Abstract: NFIRS provides a mechanism using standardized reporting 
methods to collect and analyze fire incident data at the Federal, 
State, and local levels. Data analysis helps local fire departments and 
States to focus on current problems, predict future problems in their 
communities, and measure whether their programs are working.
    Affected Public: State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 10,769,720 burden hours.
Annual Hour Burden

                                                 Table A.12--Estimated Annualized Burden Hours and Costs
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                                                                          Number of                             Total
                                                             Number of    responses     Average burden per      annual      Average       Total annual
         Type of respondent          Form name/form number  respondents      per       response  (in hours)  burden  (in  hourly wage   respondent cost
                                                                          respondent                            hours)        rate            ($)
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State, Local, or Tribal Government.  NFIRS Version 5.0            2,200          950  1.13 hours (68           2,361,700        21.22      50,115,274.00
                                      Modules 1-12                                     minutes).
                                      (Manual).
State, Local, or Tribal Government.  NFIRS Version 5.0           19,800          942  27 min (0.45 hr).....    8,393,220        21.22     178,104,128.40
                                      Modules 1-12
                                      (Electronic).
State, Local, or Tribal Government.  NFA Program Manager             30            1  48 hours.............        1,440        21.22          30,556.80
                                      Training.
State, Local, or Tribal Government.  NFA Program Manager             60            1  16 hours.............          960        21.22          20,371.20
                                      Orientation.
State, Local, or Tribal Government.  NFIC Training                  100            1  16 hours.............        1,600        21.22          33,952.00
                                      Workshop.
State, Local, or Tribal Government.  NFIC CD/on-site                200            1  4 hours..............          800        21.22          16,976.00
                                      Orientation.
State, Local, or Tribal Government.  Introduction to NFRIS          500            1  20 hours.............       10,000        21.22         212,200.00
                                      Distance Learning.
                                                           ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total..........................  .....................       22,890  ...........  .....................   10,769,720  ...........     228,553,458.40
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    Estimated Cost: The estimated annualized cost to respondents based 
on wage rate categories is $228,553,458.40. The estimated annual cost 
to the Federal Government is $13,310,000.
    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 
February 23, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons should submit written comments to Office 
of

[[Page 79139]]

Management, Records Management Division, Federal Emergency Management 
Agency, 500 C Street, SW., Washington, DC 20472.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Mark Whitney, Fire Program 
Specialist, United States Fire Administration, National Fire Data 
Center, (301) 447-1836 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: FEMA-
Information-Collections@dhs.gov.

    Dated: December 19, 2008.
Samuel C. Smith,
Acting Director, Records Management Division, Office of Management, 
Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security.
[FR Doc. E8-30719 Filed 12-23-08; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 9110-12-P
