1625-NEW_SS_r0_2014

1625-New

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

FOR 1625-New

U.S. COAST GUARD DISTRICT FIVE

SAFETY AND RISK MANAGEMENT (SARM) COUNCIL

AUXILIARY SAFETY SURVEY

INSTRUMENT: INSTRUCTION

1. Justification

1. Circumstances that make collection of information necessary:

This information collection is associated with SARM Council initiatives to enhance USCG Auxiliarists operations. This survey will be limited to data collection that solicits strictly voluntary opinions and will not collect information which is required or regulated. The USCG is requesting generic approval to conduct operational safety surveys.

2. How, by whom, and for what purpose is the information used:

The USCG will use the information collected to enhance operational safety for USCG Auxiliarists throughout District Five. The SARM Council plans to utilize an online survey to conduct a safety and hazard assessment for organizational volunteers engaged in USCG operations.

3. Extent of automated or electronic information collection:

Improved information technology will be used in the form of VOVICI Survey to reduce the burden on the public. There are no technical or legal obstacles to reducing this burden. Electronic data solicitation and collection will be used to reduce the burden on the respondents. The survey form may be submitted on-line at https://surveys.uscg.mil/Community/se.ashx?s=6F20F77460608CE6.

4. Efforts to identify duplication:

This information will be collected via an on-line survey system, but will not be duplicated elsewhere.

5. Efforts to minimize burden on small businesses:

This information collection does not have an impact on small businesses or other small entities.

6. Impact of less frequent collection of data:

The continuing requirements of Executive Order 12862 dictate an annual evaluation of services and customer satisfaction. Failure to conduct these surveys on an annual basis would violate the intent of the Executive Order and prevent the USCG from continually improving the level of services provided to its customers.

7. Special Circumstances:

This information collection is conducted in manner consistent with the guidelines in 5CFR 1320.5(d)(2).

8. Compliance with CFR 1320.8:

A 60-Day Notice (See [USCG-2013-1064], March 10, 2014, 79 FR 13318) and 30-Day Notice (December 16, 2014, 79 FR 74749) were published in the Federal Register to obtain public comment on this collection. The Coast Guard has not received any comments on this information collection(See [USCG-2013-xxxx], MMM DD, 2013, 78 FR xxxxx) and 30-Day Notice (MMM DD, 2013, 78 FR xxxxx) were . was

9. Payments or gifts to respondents:

There is no offer of monetary or material value for this information collection.

10. Assurance of confidentiality:

There are no assurances of confidentiality provided to the respondents for this information collection.

11. Justification for collection of sensitive information:

There are no questions of sensitive nature.

12. Estimate of burden hours and respondent’s cost for information requested:

The estimated number of respondents is 3200. There is an estimated 10-minute burden to a respondent so the total potential burden on the public is estimated to be 533 hours. The annual burden is also estimated to be 533 hours. The annual costs to respondents is estimated to be $0.00, as each member is associated with the USCG Auxiliary and as such are in a voluntary status within the organization. There is no cost for the responses returned on-line.

13. Estimate of total annual costs to the respondents:

There are no record keeping, capital, start-up or maintenance costs associated with this information collection.

14. Estimate of total annual costs to the Federal government:

An estimated total annual cost to the Federal Government is zero. There will be no distribution of paper copies of the survey since it will be distributed electronically. Distribution of surveys by the web is also zero because the USCG web page is a fixed cost. No additional USCG personnel will be needed to process and analyze this survey.

15. Explanation of program changes or adjustments:

This is a new collection, the estimated annual burden hours is 533 hours.

16. Publication of results of data collection:

This information collection will not be published for statistical purposes.

17. Collection of Information Employing Statistical Methods

USCG will display the expiration date for OMB approval of this information collection.

18. Exceptions to certification statement:

USCG does not request an exception to the certification of this information collection.