[Federal Register: March 29, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 61)]
[Notices]
[Page 17135-17136]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr29mr01-30]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Information Collection; Request for Comments; Health Screening
Questionnaire
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the
Forest Service announces its intention to establish a new information
collection. The collected information will enable the Forest Service to
evaluate current employees, who are seeking certification or
recertification for firefighter positions, as well as individuals, who
are applying for firefighter positions, to determine if they meet the
qualifications to safely perform assigned duties as a Forest Service
firefighter.
DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before May 29, 2001.
ADDRESSES: All comments should be addressed to Wini Sorensen, National
Safety Officer, National Interagency Fire Center, Forest Service, USDA,
3833 South Development Avenue, Boise, ID 83705-5354.
Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to (208) 387-5398 or
by email to wsorensen@fs.fed.us.
The public may inspect comments received at the National Safety
Office, National Interagency Fire Center, Forest Service, USDA, 3833
South Development Avenue, Boise, Idaho, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday
thru Friday MST.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wini Sorensen, National Safety
Officer, at (208) 387-5102.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The Protection Act of 1922 (16 U.S.C. 594) authorizes the Forest
Service to fight fires on National Forest System lands.
Individuals must complete the Health Screening Questionnaire (HSQ)
when seeking employment as a new firefighter with the Forest Service or
recertification as a Forest Service firefighter. Forest Service
employees will evaluate the collected information to determine if the
individual seeking certification or recertification may begin a
physical
[[Page 17136]]
fitness program to train for the arduous level ``Pack Test'' of the
Work Capacity Test. If Forest Service employees determine, based on the
collected information, that an individual may not be physically able to
train for the arduous level of the Work Capacity Test, the agency will
require the individual to undergo a physical examination from a
physician.
Description of Information Collection
The following describes the information collection to be
established:
Title: Health Screening Questionnaire (HSQ).
OMB Number: New.
Expiration Date of Approval: New.
Type of Request: This is a new information collection that has not
yet received approval from the Office of Management and Budget.
Abstract: Forest Service personnel at Forest Service Ranger
Districts, Forest Service Supervisors' Offices, Forest Service Research
Stations, or the Area Office will evaluate the collected data to ensure
that individuals seeking recertification as a Forest Service
firefighter, as well as those applying to become certified, will meet
the physical and health requirements of the position.
Forest Service employees will collect information on the current
general health of the individual, such as height, weight, and current
level of physical activity; previous serious health conditions, such as
life threatening injury, diseases, or heart conditions; and special
current conditions, such as diabetes or allergies. Individuals
determined to be in sufficient health will be asked to complete the
``Work Capacity Tests,'' which would include testing the level of the
individual's aerobic fitness, level of muscular strength, and muscle
endurance.
The information provided by an individual will be placed in the
individual's Official Employee Medical File. As required under The
Privacy Act (5 USC 552a), the information will not be available to any
other agency or individual.
Data gathered in this information collection is not available from
other sources.
Estimate of Annual Burden: 5 minutes.
Type of Respondents: Current employees requesting certification or
recertification as a firefighter (Red-Card) and applicants seeking
Forest Service firefighter positions.
Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 15,000.
Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,250 hours.
Comment Is Invited
The agency invites comments on the following: (a) Whether the
proposed collection of information is necessary for the stated purposes
and the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including
whether the information will have practical or scientific utility; (b)
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) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize
the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including
the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
Use of Comments
All comments received in response to this notice, including names
and addresses when provided, will become a matter of public record.
Comments will be summarized and included in the request for Office of
Management and Budget Approval.
Dated: March 21, 2001.
Michael T. Rains,
Deputy Chief, State and Private Forestry.
[FR Doc. 01-7724 Filed 3-28-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P
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