The Federal Communications Commission's Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau Launches Disaster Information Reporting System, 52879-52880 [E7-18296]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 179 / Monday, September 17, 2007 / Notices available only in hard copy. Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically in www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the U.S. EPA Region 4 office located at 61 Forsyth Street, SW., Atlanta, Georgia 30303. Regional office is open from 7 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. Written comments may be submitted to Ms. Batchelor within 30 calendar days of the date of this publication. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paula V. Batchelor at 404/562–8887. Dated: September 5, 2007. Rosalind H. Brown, Chief, Superfund Enforcement & Information Management Branch, Superfund Division. [FR Doc. E7–18280 Filed 9–14–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION [DA 07–3871] The Federal Communications Commission’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau Launches Disaster Information Reporting System Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: In the Public Notice, the Federal Communications Commission’s (Commission’s) Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB) announces the launch of the newly designed and automated Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS). DIRS is a voluntary, efficient, web-based system that communications providers can use to report communications infrastructure status and situational awareness information during times of crisis. This will better streamline the reporting process and enable communications providers to share network status information with the Commission quickly and efficiently. DATES: The Commission launched DIRS on September 11, 2007. ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW., Room TW–A325, Washington, DC 20554. jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffery Goldthorp, Chief, Communications Systems Analysis Division, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, Federal Communications Commission at (202) 418–1096 or Jeffery.Goldthorp@fcc.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the PSHSB’s action in DA VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:00 Sep 14, 2007 Jkt 211001 07–3871, released on September 11, 2007. The complete text of this document is available for inspection and copying during normal business hours in the FCC Reference Information Center, Portals II, 445 12th Street, SW., Room CY–A257, Washington, DC 20554. This document may also be purchased from the Commission’s duplicating contractor, Best Copy and Printing, Inc., in person at 445 12th Street, SW., Room CY–B402, Washington, DC 20554, via telephone at (202) 488–5300, via facsimile at (202) 488–5563, or via email at FCC@BCPIWEB.COM. Alternative formats (computer diskette, large print, audio cassette, and Braille) are available to persons with disabilities by sending an e-mail to FCC504@fcc.gov or calling the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418–0530, TTY (202) 418–0432. This document is also available on the Commission’s Web site at https:// www.fcc.gov. Synopsis of the Public Notice The Commission’s PSHSB launched a newly designed and automated Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS) on September 11, 2007. DIRS is a voluntary, efficient, web-based system that communications companies, including wireless, wireline, broadcast, and cable providers, can use to report communications infrastructure status and situational awareness information during times of crisis. This will better streamline the reporting process and enable communications providers to share network status information with the Commission quickly and efficiently. The creation and implementation of this new system builds on the Commission’s longstanding commitment to promoting the safety of life and property through the use of wire and radio communication, as required by the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and complements the efforts of the Department of Homeland Security’s National Communications System (NCS) in support of NCS’s role as the primary agency for Emergency Support Function-2 (ESF–2) (Communications) of the National Response Plan. Establishment of this database addresses many of the recommendations submitted by the Independent Panel Reviewing the Impact of Hurricane Katrina on Communications Networks regarding the collection of disaster-related outage and other situational awareness information. DIRS includes data templates for different communications sectors (i.e., wireless, wireline, broadcast, and cable). Participating communications providers PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 52879 will initially log onto the system to input their emergency contact information. Once this is done, participating communications providers that serve areas affected by disasters will be able to voluntarily submit information regarding, inter alia, the status of their communications equipment, restoration efforts, power (i.e., whether they are using commercial power, generator or battery), and access to fuel. Because the information that communications companies input to DIRS is sensitive, for national security and/or commercial reasons, DIRS filings shall be treated as presumptively confidential upon filing. DIRS filings voluntarily report weaknesses in and damage to the national communications infrastructure. The release of this sensitive information to the public could potentially facilitate terrorist targeting of critical infrastructure and key resources. Further, the DIRS filings contain internal confidential information that constitutes trade secrets and commercial or financial information. Public availability of these reports, which contain information the filers themselves do not routinely make public, could competitively harm the filers by revealing information about the types and deployment of their equipment and the traffic that flows across their networks. DIRS filings will, however, be shared with the NCS on a confidential basis. On July 21, 2007, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved the DIRS information collection under OMB Control Number 3060–1003. This OMB approval expires on July 31, 2010. As the Commission noted in its OMB submission, DIRS is a voluntary program, separate from the mandatory reporting requirements that apply to certain communications providers under part 4 of the Commission’s rules, 47 CFR part 4. The Commission requests that communications providers (wireline carriers, wireless carriers, broadcasters, and cable system operators) that choose to participate in DIRS provide contact information for any and all individuals in each company who would be providing information on the status of communications equipment in the event of a disaster. Contact information includes contact name, company name, phone number, cell phone number, Blackberry/pager number, and e-mail address. This information will be secured by the Commission and protected from public release. Communications providers can accomplish this by accessing DIRS at https://www.fcc.gov/nors/disaster/ and E:\FR\FM\17SEN1.SGM 17SEN1 52880 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 179 / Monday, September 17, 2007 / Notices obtaining a User ID. Such providers can also access DIRS under e-filing on the Commission’s main webpage or on the PSHSB Web page. When this disaster data collection system is activated in response to a crisis, all contacts in DIRS will be sent an e-mail letting them know the disaster area and the communications providers that are requested to provide data on the status of their communications equipment. Federal Communications Commission. Derek K. Poarch, Bureau Chief, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau. [FR Doc. E7–18296 Filed 9–14–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712–01–P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Department of Health and Human Services. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: This notice announces the intention of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to request that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) re-authorize the information collection project ‘‘AHRQ Grants Reporting System (GRS).’’ In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104– 13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), AHRQ invites the public to comment on this proposed information collection. DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by November 16, 2007. ADDRESSES: Written comments should be submitted to: Doris Lefkowitz, Reports Clearance Officer, AHRQ, 540 Gaither Road, Room # 5036, Rockville, MD 20850, or by e-mail at doris.lefkowitz@ahrq.hhs.gov. Copies of the proposed collection plans, data collection instruments, and specific details on the estimated burden can be obtained from AHRQ’s Reports Clearance Officer. this information in a systematic manner will: • Promote the transfer of critical information more frequently and efficiently which will enhance the Agency’s ability to support research designed to improve the outcomes and quality of health care, reduce its costs, and broaden access to effective services. • Increase the efficiency of the Agency in responding to ad-hoc information requests, Freedom of Information Act requests, and producing responses related to federally mandated programs and regulations. • Establish a consistent approach throughout the Agency for information collection about grant progress and a systematic basis for oversight and for facilitating potential collaboration with or among grantees. • Decrease the inconvenience and burden on grantees of unanticipated adhoc requests for information by the Agency in response to particular (onetime) internal and external requests for information. This project was previously approved by OMB on 11/10/2004. The OMB control number is 0935–0122 and will expire on 11/30/2007. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doris Lefkowitz, AHRQ, Reports Clearance Officer, (301) 427–1477. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Proposed Project ‘‘AHRQ Grants Reporting System (GRS)’’ AHRQ has identified the need to establish a systematic method for its grantees to report project progress and important preliminary findings for grants funded by the Agency. The proposed system will address the shortfalls in the current reporting process and establish a consistent and comprehensive grants reporting solution for AHRQ. Currently, AHRQ receives grants continuation applications on an annual basis from all grantees. The progress report, which represents a portion of the annual continuation application, is inadequate because it is too infrequent and does not necessarily capture the information that AHRQ requires to respond to internal and external inquiries. The reporting system will also provide a centralized repository of grants research information that can be used to support initiatives within the Agency’s research plans for the future and to support activities such as performance monitoring, budgeting, knowledge transfer as well as strategic planning. AHRQ currently conduct quarterly conference calls with some grantees. The content, frequency, and focus of these calls vary. In some grant programs, the number of participants on these calls may be so large as to prohibit quarterly updates from all participants in order to avoid creating an extremely lengthy conference call and to allow the Agency to address other important issues during these calls. The GRS will support the timely collection of important information related to the life cycle of a grant. This information includes: significant changes in project goals, methods, study design, sample or subjects, interventions, evaluation, dissemination, training, key personnel, key preliminary findings; significant problems and resolutions; publications and presentations; tools and products; and new collaborations/partnerships with AHRQ grantees or others conducting related research. Collecting Data Confidentiality Provisions Confidential commercial information will be protected in accordance with 18 U.S.C. 1905. Information about Principal Investigators will be maintained in accordance with the Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. 552a. Also, individuals and organizations will be assured of the confidentiality of their data under Section 934(c) of the Healthcare Research and Quality Act of 1999. The submitted reports will be printed and included in the official file for each grant. All of these files will be retained according to existing agency policies and procedures and archived as required. The data will be collected using a Web based reporting interface developed specifically for the purpose of collecting information quarterly. To reduce burden and to the extent possible, these forms will be prepopulated with reoccurring information needed to specifically identify the institution, project, principal investigator, and other similar information. jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES ESTIMATED ANNUAL RESPONDENT BURDEN Number of respondents * Survey Estimated time per respondent in minutes Estimated total burden hours 500 10 83.33 1st Quarter ................................................................................................................................... VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:00 Sep 14, 2007 Jkt 211001 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\17SEN1.SGM 17SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 179 (Monday, September 17, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52879-52880]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-18296]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[DA 07-3871]


The Federal Communications Commission's Public Safety and 
Homeland Security Bureau Launches Disaster Information Reporting System

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In the Public Notice, the Federal Communications Commission's 
(Commission's) Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB) 
announces the launch of the newly designed and automated Disaster 
Information Reporting System (DIRS). DIRS is a voluntary, efficient, 
web-based system that communications providers can use to report 
communications infrastructure status and situational awareness 
information during times of crisis. This will better streamline the 
reporting process and enable communications providers to share network 
status information with the Commission quickly and efficiently.

DATES: The Commission launched DIRS on September 11, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW., 
Room TW-A325, Washington, DC 20554.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffery Goldthorp, Chief, 
Communications Systems Analysis Division, Public Safety and Homeland 
Security Bureau, Federal Communications Commission at (202) 418-1096 or 
Jeffery.Goldthorp@fcc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the PSHSB's action in 
DA 07-3871, released on September 11, 2007. The complete text of this 
document is available for inspection and copying during normal business 
hours in the FCC Reference Information Center, Portals II, 445 12th 
Street, SW., Room CY-A257, Washington, DC 20554. This document may also 
be purchased from the Commission's duplicating contractor, Best Copy 
and Printing, Inc., in person at 445 12th Street, SW., Room CY-B402, 
Washington, DC 20554, via telephone at (202) 488-5300, via facsimile at 
(202) 488-5563, or via e-mail at FCC@BCPIWEB.COM. Alternative formats 
(computer diskette, large print, audio cassette, and Braille) are 
available to persons with disabilities by sending an e-mail to 
FCC504@fcc.gov or calling the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau 
at (202) 418-0530, TTY (202) 418-0432. This document is also available 
on the Commission's Web site at https://www.fcc.gov.

Synopsis of the Public Notice

    The Commission's PSHSB launched a newly designed and automated 
Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS) on September 11, 2007. 
DIRS is a voluntary, efficient, web-based system that communications 
companies, including wireless, wireline, broadcast, and cable 
providers, can use to report communications infrastructure status and 
situational awareness information during times of crisis. This will 
better streamline the reporting process and enable communications 
providers to share network status information with the Commission 
quickly and efficiently.
    The creation and implementation of this new system builds on the 
Commission's longstanding commitment to promoting the safety of life 
and property through the use of wire and radio communication, as 
required by the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and complements 
the efforts of the Department of Homeland Security's National 
Communications System (NCS) in support of NCS's role as the primary 
agency for Emergency Support Function-2 (ESF-2) (Communications) of the 
National Response Plan. Establishment of this database addresses many 
of the recommendations submitted by the Independent Panel Reviewing the 
Impact of Hurricane Katrina on Communications Networks regarding the 
collection of disaster-related outage and other situational awareness 
information.
    DIRS includes data templates for different communications sectors 
(i.e., wireless, wireline, broadcast, and cable). Participating 
communications providers will initially log onto the system to input 
their emergency contact information. Once this is done, participating 
communications providers that serve areas affected by disasters will be 
able to voluntarily submit information regarding, inter alia, the 
status of their communications equipment, restoration efforts, power 
(i.e., whether they are using commercial power, generator or battery), 
and access to fuel.
    Because the information that communications companies input to DIRS 
is sensitive, for national security and/or commercial reasons, DIRS 
filings shall be treated as presumptively confidential upon filing. 
DIRS filings voluntarily report weaknesses in and damage to the 
national communications infrastructure. The release of this sensitive 
information to the public could potentially facilitate terrorist 
targeting of critical infrastructure and key resources. Further, the 
DIRS filings contain internal confidential information that constitutes 
trade secrets and commercial or financial information. Public 
availability of these reports, which contain information the filers 
themselves do not routinely make public, could competitively harm the 
filers by revealing information about the types and deployment of their 
equipment and the traffic that flows across their networks. DIRS 
filings will, however, be shared with the NCS on a confidential basis.
    On July 21, 2007, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
approved the DIRS information collection under OMB Control Number 3060-
1003. This OMB approval expires on July 31, 2010. As the Commission 
noted in its OMB submission, DIRS is a voluntary program, separate from 
the mandatory reporting requirements that apply to certain 
communications providers under part 4 of the Commission's rules, 47 CFR 
part 4.
    The Commission requests that communications providers (wireline 
carriers, wireless carriers, broadcasters, and cable system operators) 
that choose to participate in DIRS provide contact information for any 
and all individuals in each company who would be providing information 
on the status of communications equipment in the event of a disaster. 
Contact information includes contact name, company name, phone number, 
cell phone number, Blackberry/pager number, and e-mail address. This 
information will be secured by the Commission and protected from public 
release. Communications providers can accomplish this by accessing DIRS 
at https://www.fcc.gov/nors/disaster/ and

[[Page 52880]]

obtaining a User ID. Such providers can also access DIRS under e-filing 
on the Commission's main webpage or on the PSHSB Web page.
    When this disaster data collection system is activated in response 
to a crisis, all contacts in DIRS will be sent an e-mail letting them 
know the disaster area and the communications providers that are 
requested to provide data on the status of their communications 
equipment.

Federal Communications Commission.
Derek K. Poarch,
Bureau Chief, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau.
 [FR Doc. E7-18296 Filed 9-14-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
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