[Federal Register: October 5, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 191)]
[Notices]               
[Page 51157-51158]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05oc09-52]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[60Day-09-09CV]

 
Proposed Data Collections Submitted for Public Comment and 
Recommendations

    In compliance with the requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 for opportunity for public comment on 
proposed data collection projects, the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC) will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects. 
To request more information on the proposed projects or to obtain a 
copy of the data collection plans and instruments, call 404-639-5960 
and send comments to Maryam I. Daneshvar, CDC Acting Reports Clearance 
Officer, 1600 Clifton Road, MS-D74, Atlanta, GA 30333 or send an e-mail 
to omb@cdc.gov.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information to be

[[Page 51158]]

collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of 
information on respondents, including through the use of automated 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Written 
comments should be received within 60 days of this notice.

Proposed Project

    All-Hazards Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response 
Generic Data Collection--New--Coordinating Office for Terrorism 
Preparedness and Emergency Response (COTPER), Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention (CDC).

Background and Brief Description

    Data from agencies and individuals are needed to assist CDC in 
responding to and planning for domestic and international all-hazards 
public health emergencies. According to the glossary from the National 
Response Framework Resource Center, ``all-hazards'' is defined as 
``describing an incident, natural or manmade, that warrants action to 
protect life, property, environment, and public health or safety, and 
to minimize disruptions of government, social, or economic 
activities.'' This generic IC requests the authority to collect a wide 
array of data from traditional and non-traditional public health 
sources to assist in this effort. This generic IC will enable CDC to 
collect data during public health emergencies (as the response is 
taking place) and after public health emergencies (as the recovery is 
taking place) to aid response and recovery efforts and to answer pre-
determined research questions. These data may be used to inform our 
preparedness for subsequent emergencies that may potentially occur and 
also inform decisions made by CDC Director.
    All-hazards public health emergencies are those events that are 
formally declared emergencies by Federal, State or local jurisdictions. 
Declarations can be made by the Secretary of the Department of Health 
and Human Services (DHHS) under Section 319 of the Public Health 
Service Act and at the state or local levels by the Governor, state 
public health officer, city or county council or mayor and the local 
public health officer respectively. During and after these emergencies, 
assistance may be needed to supplement State and local efforts and 
capabilities to save lives and to protect property and public health 
and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe. Also, 
CDC may have to assist the State and local, tribal, and territorial 
levels of government with critical data collection to support immediate 
data needs for situational awareness. Situational Awareness has been 
defined as ``the perception of elements in the environment within a 
volume of time and space, the comprehension of their meaning, and the 
projection of their status in the near future.''
    A three-year OMB approval is requested to allow CDC to collect data 
during and after emergencies. Data collected under this generic IC will 
use a variety of data collection methods. Some of the methods include 
but are not limited to: Personal interviews, telephone interviews, 
focus groups, institutional record reviews, medical record reviews, and 
paper or Internet questionnaires and other secure electronic data 
exchange. Each proposed data collection submitted under this generic IC 
will provide information pertaining to that particular public health 
emergency. Respondents will be advised of the nature of the activity, 
the length of time required for participation and that their 
participation is voluntary.
    There are no costs to respondents except their time.

                                        Estimated Annualized Burden Hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                      Average
                                                     Number of       Number of      burden per     Total  burden
                   Respondents                      respondents    responses per   response  (in    (in hours)
                                                                    respondent        hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
General Public..................................          50,000               1               1          50,000
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.......................................          50,000
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    Dated: September 26, 2009.
Maryam I. Daneshvar,
Acting Reports Clearance Officer, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention.
[FR Doc. E9-23883 Filed 10-2-09; 8:45 am]

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