05-23132. Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY:

Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments.

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 proposed revised information collections. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), this notice seeks comments concerning the use of the Emergency Management Institute Resident Course Evaluation Form which is used to identify problems with course materials, evaluate the quality of course delivery, facilities and instructors.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Emergency Management Institute (EMI) develops courses and administers resident and nonresident training programs in areas such as natural hazards, technical hazards, instructional methodology, professional development, leadership, exercise design and evaluation, information technology, public information, integrated emergency management, and train-the-trainer. A significant portion of the training is conducted by State emergency management agencies under cooperative agreements with FEMA.

In order to meet current information needs of EMI staff and management, the EMI uses this course evaluation form to identify problems with course materials, delivery, facilities and instructors. This is a resident evaluation form. EMI staff will use the information to monitor and recommend changes in course materials, student selection criteria, training experience, and classroom environment. Reports will be generated and distributed to EMI management and staff. Without the information it will be difficult to determine the need for improvements and the degree of student satisfaction with each course.

The respondents are students attending EMI resident courses at either the National Emergency Training Center (NETC) or at an off-site location. The evaluation form will be administered at the end of the course and will take no more than 10 minutes to complete. Contractors will scan the evaluation forms and generate the data reports using a computer program developed by a FEMA program analyst contractor. Evaluation forms are destroyed in accordance with FEMA's records retention schedule.

Collection of Information

Title: Emergency Management Institute Residential Course Evaluation Form.

Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection.

OMB Number: 1660-0034.

Form Number: 95-41.

Abstract: Students attending the Emergency Management Institute resident program courses at FEMA's NETC will be asked to complete a course evaluation form. The information will be used by EMI staff and management to identify problems with course materials, evaluate the quality of the course delivery, facilities, and instructors. The data received will enable them to recommend changes in course materials, student selection criteria, training experience and classroom environment.

Affected Public: State, Local, or Tribal Government, Individuals or Households, and Federal Government.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,671 hours.

FEMA forms	Number of respondents (A)	Frequency of response (B)	Hours per response (minutes) (C)	Annual burden hours (A x B x C)
95-41	10,027	Per course	10	1,671
Total	10,027		10	1,671

Estimated Cost: There is no cost to respondents for this information collection.

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 should be received within 60 days of the date of this notice.

ADDRESSES:

Interested persons should submit written comments to Chief, Records Management Section, Information Resources Management Branch, Information Technology Services Division, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate, Department of Homeland Security, 500 C Street, SW., Room 316, Washington, DC 20472.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Contact Laurie Wivell, Training Support Specialist, Emergency Management Institute, [phone] for additional information. You may contact the Records Management Branch for copies of the proposed collection of information at facsimile number [phone] or e-mail address: [e-mail].

Dated: November 3, 2005.

Darcy Bingham,

Branch Chief, Information Resources Management Branch, Information Technology Services Division.