SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: APHIS National Incident Management System (NIMS) Training and Exercise Program.

OMB Control Number: 0579-XXXX.

Type of Request: Approval of a new information collection.

Abstract: Under the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Directive 1810.2, APHIS National Incident Management System (NIMS) Training and Exercise Program, APHIS is assuming responsibility for providing to APHIS employees certain Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)-related training. The training consists of courses such as Introduction to the Incident Command System (ICS), ICS for Initial Response, ICS for Expanding Incidents, and advanced training to employees who require advanced knowledge of ICS. Additional training includes an overview of NIMS and the National Response Framework focusing especially on those who are involved in delivering and applying the response core capabilities. The training will also provide introduction and overview of ICS for senior officials (executives, elected and appointed officials, city/county managers, agency administrators, etc.). Seats not filled by APHIS employees will be made available to State, local and Tribal government employees.

Information that will be collected from participants includes an application email, a course evaluation sheet, and an affidavit on a course roster confirming attendance.

We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve our use of these information collection activities for 3 years.

The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public (as well as affected agencies) concerning our information collection. These comments will help us:

(1) Evaluate whether the 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 our estimate of the burden of the 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, through use, as appropriate, of automated, electronic, mechanical, and other collection technologies; e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.

Estimate of burden: The public burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 0.125 hours per response.

Respondents: State, local and Tribal government employees who respond to plant pest/disease and animal disease outbreaks.

Estimated annual number of respondents: 300.

Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 2.

Estimated annual number of responses: 600.

Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 75 hours. (Due to averaging, the total annual burden hours may not equal the product of the annual number of responses multiplied by the reporting burden per response.)

All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record.