Information sought under this collection will comprise of the applications for Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG) and Fire Prevention and Safety (FPS) grants. The old forms have be obseleted from this collection and new forms have be submitted to capture the details concerning applicants' demongraphics, capabilities, and operational resources as well as information necessary for FEMA to comply with mandates delineated in the law.
US Code:
15 USC 2229
Name of Law: Federal Fire Protection and Control Act of 1974
US Code:
15 USC 2201
Name of Law: Fire Prevention And Control
There is a significant increase in the number of awards from 1,100 in FY 2014 to 2,630 in FY 2017. We attribute this increase to a program change to allow incentives for voluntarily applying for grants under $50,000. So far this has not increased our number of applicants as we hoped but it has increased in the number of awards. As a result, we have an increase in the number of respondents who need to complete Semi-Annual Performance Report, 080-0-0-13 and Final Performance Report, FEMA Form 080-0-0-16. The Semi-Annual Performance Report is being completed twice annually by our grant recipients. The increase in burden hours for the Semi-Annual Performance report is from 176 to 870. Also, additional questions have been added to the Semi-Annual Performance report. There are no expected changes to the burden hours based on these additional questions.
The Final Performance Report, FEMA Form 080-0-0-16, has been added to this ICR due to the requirement for grant recipients to complete this form at the end of the grant cycle. There is a 7,830-burden hour increase due to the addition of this collection instrument.
There is a total increase of 8,524 annual burden hours
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.