0579-0071 2018 Ss 2

September 2018
SUPPORTING STATEMENT
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT RESPONSE SYSTEM (EMRS)
OMB NO. 0579-0071

A. Justification
1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary. Identify
any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection. Attach a copy of
the appropriate section of each statute and regulation mandating or authorizing the
collection of information.
The Animal Health Protection Act (AHPA) of 2002 is the primary Federal law governing the
protection of animal health. The law gives the Secretary of Agriculture broad authority to detect,
control, or eradicate pests or diseases of livestock or poultry. The Secretary may also prohibit or
restrict import or export of any animal or related material if necessary to prevent the spread of
any livestock or poultry pest or disease. The AHPA is contained in Title X, Subtitle E, Sections
10401-18 of P.L. 107-171, May 13, 2002, the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002.
Disease prevention is the most effective method for maintaining a healthy animal population and
for enhancing the ability of the United States to compete in the world market of animal and
animal product trade. In connection with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s mission to
prevent animal disease, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Veterinary
Services (VS) unit investigates suspected foreign animal disease (FAD) occurrences. These
investigations help APHIS protect the health of the U.S. livestock and poultry populations. 1
The unit’s authority to investigate suspected occurrences of FADs in livestock or poultry is
delineated in Public Law 87-518, dated July 2, 1962; and 21 U.S.C. 111, 112, 113, 114, 114a,
120, and 134a. The regulations implementing these laws are found in Part 53 of Title 9, Code of
Federal Regulations.
Through its FAD Surveillance Program, the VS Emergency Management staff compiles essential
epidemiological and diagnostic data used to define FADs and their risk factors. The data is
compiled through the VS Emergency Management Response System (EMRS), a web-based
database for reporting investigations of suspected FAD occurrences. APHIS recently upgraded
the EMRS system to accommodate more specific data entry methods.
APHIS is asking OMB to approve, for an additional 3 years, information collection activities
involved in using the EMRS.

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Investigations into occurrences of diseases already occurring in, or endemic to, the United States are addressed in
information collections specific to these diseases: bovine tuberculosis (0579-0146); bovine brucellosis (0579-0046);
scrapie (0579-0101); chronic wasting disease (0579-0189); equine infectious anemia (0579-0127); and highly
pathogenic avian influenza (0579-0245 and 0579-0440). Diseases of swine are covered by 0579-0137.

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2. Indicate how, by whom, how frequently, and for what purpose the information is to be
used. Except for a new collection, indicate the actual use the agency has made of the
information received from the current collection.
APHIS uses the following information activities to effectively prevent FAD occurrences and
protect the health of animals in the United States.
Emergency Management Response System (EMRS); (9 CFR 53); (State) (Business)
When a potential foreign animal disease (FAD) incident is reported, APHIS or State animal
health authorities send a foreign animal disease diagnostician to the incident site to obtain vital
epidemiological data by conducting a diagnostic field investigation and interviewing the owner
or manager where the incident occurred to determine the nature and extent of the illness on the
premises. Information collected and recorded in EMRS by the diagnostician includes:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

The purpose of the diagnostician's visit to the site.
The name and address of the site owner or manager.
The type of operation being investigated.
The number and type of animals on the premises.
Whether any animals have been moved to or from the premises and when this movement
occurred.
The number of sick or dead animals.
The results of physical examinations of the affected animals.
The results of postmortem examinations.
The number and kinds of samples taken.
The name of the suspected disease.

VS collects the information via the EMRS2Go application and uses it to determine and take
necessary steps for controlling and eradicating foreign animal disease outbreaks.

3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other
forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses, and
the basis for the decision for adopting this means of collection. Also describe any
consideration of using information technology to reduce burden.
EMRS is an online, electronic database in use since 2004. Information is collected through onsite
investigation and interviews and entered into the database by an authorized APHIS VS or State
Department of Agriculture veterinarian. Further information about accessing and using the
application is available at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/
emergency-management/sa_emrs/ct_emrs.
A recent update to the EMRS system allows multiple methods of entering data. APHIS staff or
State personnel accessing and using EMRS can build personal user and contact screens including
their contact information, dispatch information, and deployment readiness checklist.

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4. Describe efforts to identify duplication. Show specifically why any similar information
already available cannot be used or modified for use for the purpose described in item 2
above.
The information that APHIS collects is not available from any other source. APHIS is the only
Federal agency responsible for detecting and eradicating FADs.

5. If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities, describe
any methods used to minimize burden.
APHIS estimates 10 percent of the business respondents to be considered small entities. The
information APHIS collects is the minimum needed to conduct meaningful surveillance for
FADs.

6. Describe the consequence to Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not
conducted or is conducted less frequently, as well as any technical or legal obstacles to
reducing burden.
Without timely investigation and analysis of reported incidents, APHIS cannot detect, monitor,
eradicate, and take mitigation measures against foreign animal disease (FAD) outbreaks in the
United States. Uncontrolled FAD outbreaks quickly damage or destroy livestock herds or poultry
flocks across large geographic areas, and cause severe economic harm to agricultural industries
in both domestic and international markets.

7. Explain any special circumstances that require the collection to be conducted in a
manner inconsistent with the general information collection guidelines in 5 CFR 1320.5.
• requiring respondents to report information to the agency more often than quarterly;
• requiring respondents to prepare a written response to a collection of information in
fewer than 30 days after receipt of it;
• requiring respondents to submit more than an original and two copies of any
document;
• requiring respondents to retain records, other than health, medical, government
contract, grant-in-aid, or tax records for more than three years;
• in connection with a statistical survey, that is not designed to produce valid and
reliable results that can be generalized to the universe of study;
• requiring the use of a statistical data classification that has not been reviewed and
approved by OMB;

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• that includes a pledge of confidentiality that is not supported by authority established
in statute or regulation, that is not supported by disclosure and data security policies
that are consistent with the pledge, or which unnecessarily impedes sharing of data
with other agencies for compatible confidential use; or
• requiring respondents to submit proprietary trade secret, or other confidential
information unless the agency can demonstrate that it has instituted procedures to
protect the information's confidentiality to the extent permitted by law.
This information collection is conducted in a manner consistent with the guidelines established
in 5 CFR 1320.5.

8. Describe 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 form, and on the data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or
reported. If applicable, provide a copy and identify the date and page number of
publication in the Federal Register of the Agency's notice, soliciting comments on the
information collection prior to submission to OMB.
APHIS consulted with the following individuals concerning the information collection activities
associated with this program:
Dr. Paul McGraw
Wisconsin State Veterinarian
2811 Agriculture Dr.
P.O. Box 8911
Madison, WI 53708-8911
Dr. Charles W. Hatcher
Tennessee State Veterinarian
440 Hogan Rd, Porter Building
Nashville, TN 37220
Dr. Justin Smith
Kansas State Veterinarian/Animal Health Commissioner
1320 Research Park Dr.
Manhattan, KS 66502

On Friday, July 27, 2018, APHIS published in the Federal Register on pages 35604 and 35605 a
60-day notice seeking public comments on its plans to request a 3-year renewal of this collection
of information. Four comments from the public were received but they were not relevant to the
activities and associated burden in this information collection.

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9. Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than
remuneration of contractors or grantees.
This information collection activity involves no payments or gifts to respondents.

10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the
assurance in statute, regulation, or Agency policy.
See System of Records Notice, USDA-APHIS-11, Emergency Management Response System
(EMRS), FR Doc E8-9418 which published in Federal Register on April 30, 2008 (Volume 73,
Number 84) [pages 23409-23412].
No additional assurance of confidentiality is provided with this information collection. Any and
all information obtained in this collection shall not be disclosed except in accordance with
5 U.S.C. 552a.

11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual
behavior or attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered
private. This justification should include reasons why the Agency considers the questions
necessary, the specific uses to be made of the information, the explanation to be given to
persons from whom the information is requested, and any steps to be taken to obtain their
consent.
This information collection activity asks no questions of a personal or sensitive nature.

12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information. Indicate the
number of respondents, frequency of response, annual hour burden, and an explanation of
how the burden was estimated.
• Indicate the number of respondents, frequency of response, annual hour burden, and
an explanation of how the burden was estimated. If this request for approval covers
more than one form, provide separate hour burden estimates for each form and
aggregate the hour burdens in Item 13 of OMB Form 83-I.
See APHIS Form 71. APHIS estimates there are 136 respondents for this information
collection. Burden estimates were developed from discussions with APHIS headquarters
and field personnel, State veterinary authorities, and owners and operators of livestock and
poultry operations in the United States.
• Provide estimates of annualized cost to respondents for the hour burdens for
collections of information, identifying and using appropriate wage rate categories.

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Respondents are owners or operators of livestock and poultry facilities and State animal
health officials. APHIS estimates the total annualized cost to these respondents to be
$78,548. APHIS arrived at this figure by multiplying the total burden hours (1,632) by the
estimated average hourly wage of the above respondents ($48.13).
APHIS derived the average hourly rate from the U.S. Department of Labor; Bureau of
Labor Statistics May 2017 Report – National Occupational Employment and Wage
Estimates United States. [See https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_stru.htm -Owners or operators of livestock facilities: $38.62 [11-9013 Farm, Ranch, and Other
Agricultural Managers]; State animal health authorities: $57.65 [11-0000 Management
Occupations].]

13. Provide estimates of the total annual cost burden to respondents or record keepers
resulting from the collection of information (do not include the cost of any hour burden
shown in items 12 and 14). The cost estimates should be split into two components: (a) a
total capital and start-up cost component annualized over its expected useful life; and (b) a
total operation and maintenance and purchase of services component.
No annual cost burden is associated with capital and startup costs, operation and maintenance
expenditures, and purchase of services.

14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government. Provide a description
of the method used to estimate cost and any other expense that would not have been
incurred without this collection of information.
See APHIS Form 79. The annualized cost to the Federal government is estimated at $79,893.

15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reported in Items 13 or
14 of the OMB Form 83-1.
Program
Change Due
to New
Statute

Requested

Program
Change Due
to Agency
Discretion

Change Due
to Adjustment
in Agency
Estimate

Change Due
to Potential
Violation of
the PRA

Previously
Approved

Annual Number
of Responses

1,632

0

0

(1,884)

0

3,516

Annual Time
Burden (Hours)

1,632

0

0

(1,884)

0

3,516

0

0

0

0

0

0

Annual Cost
Burden ($)

APHIS’ response to the 2015 highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak is ending and disease
outbreaks are returning to normal levels. The estimated total number of respondents dropped
from 387 to 136; estimated responses dropped from 3,516 to 1,632; and estimate burden hours
also decreased from 3,516 to 1,632.

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Fewer outbreaks result in fewer investigations and the estimated number of responses from
businesses decreased by 1,944 responses and 1,944 hours. However, the estimated number of
State respondents increased by 5, as did the total number of responses and burden hours (60
each). This is attributed to greater State participation in the EMRS program.
16. For collections of information whose results are planned to be published, outline plans
for tabulation and publication.
APHIS has no plans to publish information it collects in connection with this program.

17. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the
information collection, explain the reasons that display would be inappropriate.
There are no forms included in this information collection.

18. Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in the “Certification for
Paperwork Reduction Act."
APHIS can certify compliance with all provisions under the Act.

B. Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods
There are no statistical methods associated with the information collection activities used in this
program.

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