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 ( printed page 36840) 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

Public Health Emergency Management Capacity Assessment Tool (PHEM Tool) (OMB Control No. 0920-1417, Exp. 10/31/2026)—Extension—Office of Readiness and Response (ORR), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Background and Brief Description

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Global Emergency Management Capacity Development (GEMCD) team strengthens emergency management capacity development globally. It helps countries to prepare for, anticipate, and respond to all forms of public health threats. GEMCD's mission is to build resilient Public Health Emergency Management (PHEM) programs throughout the world.

The GEMCD team's Emergency Management Technical Advisors (EMTAs) use the PHEM Tool to guide an in-person interview with CDC partner countries' Ministry of Health, Public Health Emergency Operations Center (PHEOC) Manager and optional additional staff, to characterize the country's PHEM program and capabilities. EMTAs document responses in an excel based form that will be entered into and maintained in the CDCReady data base. Collected data identifies strengths and weaknesses, capabilities, and gaps in PHEM programs and PHEOCs in partner countries. Findings guide GEMCD team program planning initiatives and determine appropriate technical assistance (TA) for GHSA countries. Data is analyzed to identify the presence or absence of specific PHEM and PHEOC requirements, such as plans, policies, and procedures, etc. Additional analysis will focus upon the status of PHEM and PHEOC plans, policies, and procedures, e.g., date of publication, relevance, etc. The survey is conducted annually to identify progress and document changes from one year to the next in terms of PHEM program and PHEOC capabilities.

CDC requests OMB approval for three years. The estimated annualized burden for this information collection is 72 hours. There is no cost to respondents other than their time.

91 FR 36839