National Protection and Programs Directorate, Office of Grants and Training, Assistance to Firefighters Program Office; Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB review; Comment Request on a Reinstating Collection (Application for Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG)), 40160 [E7-14141]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 140 (Monday, July 23, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 40160]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-14141]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY


National Protection and Programs Directorate, Office of Grants 
and Training, Assistance to Firefighters Program Office; Agency 
Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB review; Comment 
Request on a Reinstating Collection (Application for Assistance to 
Firefighters Grants (AFG))

AGENCY: Department of Homeland Security, National Protection and 
Programs Directorate, Office of Grants and Training. Assistance to 
Firefighters Program Office.

ACTION: Notice; 30-day notice of information collection under review.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has submitted the 
following information collection to the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with the requirements of 
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 
35). The information collection was previously published in the Federal 
Register on October 24, 2006, Vol 71, Page 62273 allowing for a 60-day 
public comment period. No comments were received on this existing 
information collection. The purpose of this notice is to allow an 
additional 30 days for public comments. The submission describes the 
nature of the information collection, the categories of respondents, 
the estimated burden (i.e., the time, effort and resources used by 
respondents to respond) and cost, and includes the actual data 
collection instruments DHS will use. This collection was previously 
referenced as 3067-0285. The number of collection has been corrected to 
1660-0054.

DATES: Comments are encouraged and will be accepted until August 22, 
2007. This process is conduced in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.10.
    Comments: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments 
on the proposed information collection to the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget. Comments should be 
addressed to Nathan Lesser, Desk Officer, Department of Homeland 
Security/Grants and Training, and sent via electronic mail to oira_
submission@omb.eop.gov or faxed to (202) 395-6974.
    The Office of Management and Budget is particularly interested in 
comments which:
    (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; and
    (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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: A copy of this ICR, with applicable 
supporting documentation, may be obtained by calling Nathan Lesser, 
Desk Officer, Department of Homeland Security Washington, DC 20528; and 
sent via electronic mail to oira_submission@omb.eop.gov or faxed to 
(202) 395-6974 (this is not a toll free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Analysis

    Agency: National Protection and Programs Directorate, Office of 
Grants and Training, Assistance to the Firefighters Program Office, 
Department of Homeland Security.
    Title: Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grants 
program.
    Title: Assistance in Firefighters Grants (AFG).
    OMB Number: 1660-0054.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion.
    Affected Public: Fire departments; not-for-profit institutions; 
local or tribal government.
    Number of Respondents: 25,000 applicants; 7,000 awardees.
    Estimated Time per Respondent: 12 hours for application; 4 hours 
for administration.
    FF20-10: Summary Sheet for Assurances and Certifications--1 hour.
    FF20-16: Summary Sheet for Assurances and Certifications--1.7 
hours.
    FF16A: Assurances--Construction Program--1.7 hours.
    FF16B: Financial Status Report--1.7 hours.
    FF16C: Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension and 
Other Responsibilities--1.7 hours.
    FF20-20: Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs--9.7 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 28,000 hours for grantee 
administration.
    Description: Information sought under this submission will comprise 
the grant application for Assistance to Firefighters Grants. This 
submission is necessary in order for Department of Homeland Security 
(DHS) to effectively implement a competitive grant program. One of the 
twelve eligible activities is fire prevention and safety (FP&S). Fire 
departments and National, State, regional and local organizations are 
eligible to apply for assistance under FP&S. Because of the 
complexities of eligibility and the various projects that are eligible 
under this activity, DHS has elected to have an application period for 
FP&S that is separate from the FIRE Grants application period. This 
collection is for both applications. The information collected will be 
used to objectively evaluate each of the 20,000 to 25,000 anticipated 
applicants to determine which of the applicants' proposals in each of 
the activities are the closest to the established program priorities. 
The information is necessary in order for DHS to assess the financial 
needs of the applicants as well as the projected benefits to be 
obtained from the use of the grant funds. DHS will also use the 
information to determine eligibility and whether the proposed use of 
funds meets the requirements and intent of the legislation.
    For the FY 2007 program year, there will be two functional areas 
under FIRE Grants that the applicants can spend the grant funds: (1) 
Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety (which includes emergency 
medical activities, training, wellness and fitness programs, 
firefighting equipment, and personal protection equipment), and (2) 
Acquisition of Response Vehicles.

    Dated: July 17, 2007.
Fawn Pettigrew,
Director of Operations, National Programs and Protection Directorate, 
Department of Homeland Security.
 [FR Doc. E7-14141 Filed 7-20-07; 8:45 am]
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