0596-0242 Supporting Statement B Template.tsm.06.05.2022

Supporting Statement – Part B

PART B. Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods

1. Describe (including a numerical estimate) the potential respondent universe and any sam­pling or other respondent selection method to be used. Data on the number of entities (e.g., establishments, State and local government units, households, or persons) in the universe covered by the collection and in the corre­sponding sample are to be provided in tabular form for the uni­verse as a whole and for each of the strata in the proposed sample. Indicate expected response rates for the collection as a whole. If the collection had been conducted previously, include the actual response rate achieved during the last collection.

Approximately six (6) respondents are involved in the data and information related to cooperative fire agreements for each of the states and territories that utilize the cooperative agreement template, for an estimated total of approximately 320 respondents. Aside from these subject matter expert staff involved in the development of the state fire agreements, there is no outreach to local government units, households or other members of the public. There is no needed or expected response rate, as no formal outreach is conducted or needed for this information collection.

2. Describe the procedures for the collection of information including:

• Statistical methodology for stratification and sample selection,

• Estimation procedure,

• Degree of accuracy needed for the pur­pose described in the justification,

• Unusual problems requiring specialized sampling procedures, and

• Any use of periodic (less frequent than annual) data collection cycles to reduce burden.

There is no formal information collection outreach associated with the use of the cooperative fire agreement template. The fire agreements that are developed using this cooperative fire agreement template are executed for a period of fire (5) years, which minimizes any annual burden associated with the cooperative fire agreement template.

1. Describe methods to maximize response rates and to deal with issues of non-response. The accuracy and reliability of information collected must be shown to be adequate for intended uses. For collections based on sam­pling, a special justification must be provid­ed for any collection that will not yield "reli­able" data that can be generalized to the universe studied.

There is no formal outreach or responses requested by any public, private or non-governmental organizations, nor members of the general public, associated with the continued use of the cooperative fire agreement template. Information is share between federal and state partners to utilize the cooperative fire agreement template.

4. Describe any tests of procedures or methods to be undertaken. Testing is encouraged as an effective means of refining collections of information to minimize burden and improve utility. Tests must be approved if they call for answers to identical questions from 10 or more respondents. A proposed test or set of tests may be submitted for approval separate­ly or in combination with the main collection of information.

No testing procedures are required or necessary, as information collection only occurs within context of developing cooperative fire protection agreements between the various States and federal entities responsible for wildland fire suppression operations.

4. Provide the name and telephone number of individuals consulted on statistical aspects of the design and the name of the agency unit, contractor(s), grantee(s), or other person(s) who will actually collect and/or analyze the information for the agency.

No additional persons, contractors or grantees have responsibility or are involved in any data or information related to this information collection.