2023-17926. Proposed Data Collection Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations

AGENCY:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

ACTION:

Notice with comment period.

SUMMARY:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as part of its continuing effort to reduce public burden and maximize the utility of government information, invites the general public and other Federal agencies the opportunity to comment on a continuing information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This notice invites comment on a proposed information collection project titled Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program (FFFIPP) Survey. This data collection will evaluate fire department implementation of the NIOSH FFFIPP recommendations, and assess whether NIOSH FFFIPP recommendations are utilized by fire departments to identify barriers to implementation of recommendations and to identify areas for potential intervention projects.

DATES:

CDC must receive written comments on or before October 20, 2023.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments, identified by Docket No. CDC–2023–0069 by either of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

• Mail: Jeffrey M. Zirger, Information Collection Review Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, MS H21–8, Atlanta, Georgia 30329.

Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name and Docket Number. CDC will post, without change, all relevant comments to www.regulations.gov.

Please note: Submit all comments through the Federal eRulemaking portal ( www.regulations.gov) or by U.S. mail to the address listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

To request more information on the proposed project or to obtain a copy of the information collection plan and instruments, contact Jeffrey M. Zirger, Information Collection Review Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, MS H21–8, Atlanta, Georgia 30329; Telephone: [phone]; Email: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501–3520), Federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. In addition, the PRA also requires Federal agencies to provide a 60-day notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each new proposed collection, each proposed extension of existing collection of information, and each reinstatement of previously approved information collection before submitting the collection to the OMB for approval. To comply with this requirement, we are publishing this notice of a proposed data collection as described below.

The OMB is particularly interested in comments that will help:

1. Evaluate 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;

2. 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;

3. Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected;

4. 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 submissions of responses; and

5. Assess information collection costs.

Proposed Project

Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program (FFFIPP) Survey (OMB Control No. 0920–1373, Exp. 10/31/2023)—Extension—National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Background and Brief Description

The Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program (FFFIPP) conducts independent investigations of fire fighter (FF) line-of-duty deaths (LODD) and recommends ways to prevent deaths and injuries. In 2003, an evaluation was conducted to determine the extent to which recommendations from NIOSH investigations of FF fatalities are being implemented by fire departments (FDs). Since then, there have been changes to the Program recommendations and methods of disseminating FFFIPP reports. For example, there have been changes to: (1) the details and types of recommendations for preventing FF fatalities; and (2) the method to disseminate the FFFIPP reports to FDs (driven in large part by cost). Dissemination methods have evolved from hardcopy mailings to FDs, to internet-based, with notifications of new FFFIPP reports by the fire service media and if FDs sign-up at the NIOSH website for notifications of new reports.

Understanding how, or if NIOSH recommendations are used by various types of FDs will allow a better understanding of barriers to the use of proven prevention recommendations and help identify approaches to improve the delivery of services to FDs. Additionally, we will gain insight into whether changes to the communication and dissemination have impacted the reach of these recommendations. Knowing if different types of FDs are aware of and willing to access FFFIPP reports and recommendations in non-print formats is critical, as these recommendations cannot have the intended impact of saving FF lives if large numbers of FDs do not know where to find NIOSH reports or have the resources to access them.

The purpose of this data collection is to assess FD implementation of the NIOSH FFFIPP recommendations and identify barriers to implementation of recommendations. Results will provide an understanding of current FD operational procedures, insight into MV-related activities and related policies, and identify whether FFFIPP recommendations are being utilized by FDs. Findings will inform strategies for communication of future recommendations and identify areas for potential intervention projects in order to improve the delivery of services and help ensure an effective and efficient stakeholder experience with the Program. The estimate for burden hours is based on a pilot test of the survey instrument by eight FD personnel. In the pilot test, the average time to complete the survey, including time for reviewing instructions, gathering needed information, and completing the survey was 10–25 minutes. There are screening questions at the beginning of the survey so all respondents may not actually participate. The respondent universe is based on: (1) 4,500 fire departments; (2) eight strata (region, department type); and (3) position (FF, chief, company officer). An estimated 13,500 respondents are anticipated to participate in the survey; the annual respondent burden is estimated to be 4,050 hours. There is no cost to respondents other than their time to participate.

Estimated Annualized Burden Hours

Type of respondents	Form name	Number of respondents	Number of responses per respondent	Average burden per response (in hours)	Total burden (in hours)
Firefighters (FF)	Survey	4,500	1	18/60	1,350
Fire Chiefs	Survey	4,500	1	18/60	1,350
Company Officers	Survey	4,500	1	18/60	1,350
Total					4,050

Jeffrey M. Zirger,

Lead, Information Collection Review Office, Office of Public Health Ethics and Regulations, Office of Science, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.