0539 SS 042512 Part A rev

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

FEEDBACK SURVEY FOR SEMI-ANNUAL TSUNAMI WARNING COMMUNICATIONS TEST

OMB CONTROL NO. 0648-0539

1. JUSTIFICATION

This request is for extension of a current information collection. We are also changing the name of the collection from “Feedback Survey for Annual Tsunami Warning Communications Test” to “Feedback Survey for Semi-Annual Tsunami Warning Communications Test”. The test became semi-annual in 2008, but we neglected to change the title at that time.

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary.

To properly assess the effectiveness of NOAA/National Weather Service's (NWS) Tsunami Warning communications system for California, Oregon, and Washington, a feedback survey is needed. This survey is conducted twice annually (each immediately following a test conducted by NWS). The first test is conducted in a March-April timeframe and the second test is conducted in a September timeframe. This survey will allow for efficient collection of critical information regarding the effectiveness of NOAA’s NWS Tsunami Warning System. Information from this survey greatly assists the NWS in identifying strengths and deficiencies of the Tsunami Warning System (and related sub-systems), and planning for necessary improvements. This information collection supports Public Law 109-424, the Tsunami Warning and Education Act, specifically Section 3 (1): “to improve tsunami detection, forecasting, warnings, notification, outreach, and mitigation to protect life and property in the United States;” since the feedback collected as part of this survey will improve the tsunami warning process.

2. Explain how, by whom, how frequently, and for what purpose the information will be used. If the information collected will be disseminated to the public or used to support information that will be disseminated to the public, then explain how the collection complies with all applicable Information Quality Guidelines.

This is a Web-based survey. Information is gathered and summarized by NWS personnel. Data is collected immediately following tests of the NWS Tsunami Warning System, as mentioned in Question 1, above. Results will be used solely for the purpose of improving the Tsunami Warning System. Emphasis of this testing is on related communications systems in California, Oregon, and Washington used to disseminate Tsunami Warnings. No personal information will be collected. Survey responses will be requested from emergency managers (EMs), laws enforcement agencies, U.S. Coast Guard units, the media, fire departments, state/local road departments, local (community/county) elected officials, and the general public. Responses will be solicited for a limited period immediately following completion of this test, not to exceed a few days. Information gathered from this survey will not be disseminated to the public.

3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological techniques or other forms of information technology.

This will be a Web-based survey, to be available at http://www.weather.gov/tsunamitest.php.

Responses will be counted and summarized in an automated fashion, but no statistical analysis of the results will be conducted. Note: we also accept informal feedback – at meetings, over the phone, and in emails - from EMs, which most prefer to give rather than responding to the brief survey. This information is compiled along with the regular survey responses.

4. Describe efforts to identify duplication.

This survey will be the only formal means used to collect information regarding the effectiveness of this annual Tsunami Warning System Test. NWS Western Region is the only issuer of the warning system test and the feedback survey. 

5. If the collection of information involves small businesses or other small entities, describe the methods used to minimize burden.

This survey is not intended for small businesses. The survey was designed to be very brief, requiring only a few minutes to complete and submit.

6. Describe the consequences to the Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently.

If post-test information is not collected from the test recipients, NOAA/NWS will be severely limited in its ability to identify deficiencies in the Tsunami Warning System in California, Oregon, and Washington. Without such information, it will be very difficult to make necessary improvements to affected warning systems and processes.

7. Explain any special circumstances that require the collection to be conducted in a manner inconsistent with OMB guidelines.

N/A.

8. Provide information on the PRA Federal Register Notice that solicited public comments on the information collection prior to this submission. Summarize the public comments received in response to that notice and describe the actions taken by the agency in response to those comments. Describe the efforts to consult with persons outside the agency to obtain their views on the availability of data, frequency of collection, the clarity of instructions and recordkeeping, disclosure, or reporting format (if any), and on the data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or reported.

A Federal Register Notice published on February 9, 2012 (77 FR 6785) solicited public comment. There were no comments.

9. Explain any decisions to provide payments or gifts to respondents, other than remuneration of contractors or grantees.

There are no payments or gifts to respondents.

10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.

Personal information will not be collected, and survey responses will not be made public. Responses will be retained for official purposes only.

11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered private.

N/A.

12. Provide an estimate in hours of the burden of the collection of information.

Completion of this survey will require a maximum of 5 minutes for each response. Based on an expected total of 300 responses per year and a maximum of 5 minutes per response, the total annual burden estimate is approximately 25 hours.

13. Provide an estimate of the total annual cost burden to the respondents or record-keepers resulting from the collection (excluding the value of the burden hours in Question 12 above).

There will be no cost to respondents other than the time taken for response.

14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government.

There is no government cost other than regular staff time: 8 hours for a GS-13, Step 10: $44.65 x 8 = $357.20.

15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments.

Adjustment: There are 75 fewer responses and 6 fewer hours than estimated in the 2008 submission. However, while responses have decreased (significantly decreasing over the first three years of the survey, but in the last few years, close to leveling off), we’ve learned over the past few years that those who do respond to the survey (the vast majority being members of the general public) give us very high quality information. As mentioned in Question 3, many EMs continue to prefer to give us unsolicited, but more in-depth, feedback.

 

16. For collections whose results will be published, outline the plans for tabulation and publication.

N/A. Results will not be published.

17. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection, explain the reasons why display would be inappropriate.

N/A.

18. Explain each exception to the certification statement.

No exceptions.

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