Appendix G JHU Amendment cover letter

Appendix G

February 18, 2008

To:

Jeanette Cooke
Research Subject Specialist

From:

Andrea Gielen
Department of Health, Behavior & Society
Shannon Frattaroli
Department of Health Policy and Management

Subject:

Amendment to IRB# 00000641
Research Title: “Case Study of Pennsylvania’s Fire Safety Programs”

We would like to request an amendment for IRB# 00000641 “Case Study of Pennsylvania’s Fire
Safety Programs” to include a state-wide survey of Pennsylvania’s fire departments. The survey
collects information on the types, number, focus, target population and partners of prevention
activities offered by fire departments. This information will provide more comprehensive and
generalizable information about the scope of fire prevention in Pennsylvania.
Additionally, we are asking that the survey be exempt from human subjects review. This survey
assesses fire department practices and not individual subjects’ own knowledge or behaviors. The
survey instrument and methodology proposed in the amendment are also very similar to
previously exempt research (IRB# 00000044 “Fire Department Survey”) in which it was
determined that the research did not qualify as human subjects based on 45 CFR 46.102.
Please find attached two copies (one tracked and one clean) of the amended research plan for
your consideration. If you have any questions about this amendment, please contact the coPrincipal Investigators: Andrea Gielen at (410) 955-2397 or Shannon Frattaroli at (410) 9558022.
Thank you for your consideration.