Change Request Memo - PHEM_12JUN2025

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Non-substantive Change Request Submission

Non-substantive Change Request OMB Control Number 0920-1417
TITLE: 	Public Health Emergency Management (PHEM) Tool
Date Submitted: June 11, 2025
Summary of request: The non-substantive change request is for the following changes: 
-Removed references to COVID-19 from PHEM Tool
-Removed Glossary page 
-The PHEM Tool itself has been streamlined and shortened to remove duplicative items
-Addition of Analysis and next steps page 
-Addition of Guidance page
-Addition of optional PHEOC infrastructure check list page
- Additional of Milestones page 
-Addition of Numbers list page

These proposed changes will not impact the approved burden hours or affect the scope of the approved information collection. The quality and organization of the data collected will be improved and streamlined, and the discussions to gather data will be easier to facilitate with the changes made to PHEM Tool items. Questions regarding COVID-19 have been removed. 
Description of Changes Requested: 
Form Name
Question/Item
Requested Change
Justification for Change
Glossary Page
Complete form
Remove form
Removed glossary page since a Guidance form is being added as a separate tab in the same file.
PHEM Tool
1, 2
Delete questions
Removed questions because they are not directly relevant to PHEM program capacity development planning and prioritization. 
PHEM Tool
3
Removed: “If yes, for what situation(s) was the IMS activated?”
Removed: “Did the country activate IMS for the COVID-19 pandemic?” 
Added in row 5: “Has the IMS been activated in the past 12 months?” 
Added in row 6: “If yes: please elaborate in the "additional notes section" on what situation(s) prompted IMS activation.” 
Removed because this is no longer being utilized in COVID-19 pandemic contexts. This tool is being used to identify gaps and inform planning to address capacity development priorities.
Added item to allow for open-ended responses.
PHEM Tool
4
Removed: Overview of capacity development activities that have been completed in the last FY (trainings, Technical Assistance (TA), site visits):
Added in row 10: Based on conversations with country based colleagues (CDC Country Office, MOH colleagues, etc.) does the EMTA recommend any capacity development engagement on the subnational level? 
Added in row 11:  If yes: please elaborate in the "additional notes" section on why capacity development efforts are appropriate on the subnational level.
Removed general question about capacity development needs. 
Added a focused question on subnational level to determine capacity development needs.
PHEM Tool
5
Removed: Is there an existing Public Health Emergency Operations Center (PHEOC)? 
Removed: If yes, where is the PHEOC located? And If yes, was the PHEOC established prior to the COVID-19 pandemic? 	

Removed questions specific to PHEOC and COVID-19 pandemic, since this tool no longer supports COVID-19 pandemic activities and seeks to understand broader PHEM capacities than just the PHEOC. 
PHEM Tool 
6
Removed: If yes, did the COVID-19 pandemic change the PHEM program and mission?
Removed: PHEM program mission statement (if applicable):
Added in row 8: if yes: please elaborate in the additional notes section on where the PHEM program is organizationally (example: within the MOH structure, NPHI structure, etc.).
this tool no longer supports COVID-19 pandemic activities. Changed question to not ask for the mission statement, and instead for organizational contexts of PHEM program.
PHEM Tool
7
Removed: Describe current legal authorities, policies, laws, etc. that empower the country’s PHEM program and PHEOC:
Removed: Describe if and how the COVID-19 pandemic changed the current legal authorities, policies, laws, etc. that empower the country's PHEM program and PHEOC:
Added in row 16: Does the country have current legal authorities, policies, laws, etc. in place that empower the country’s PHEM program?
Changed items from opened to closed format. this tool no longer supports COVID-19 pandemic activities.
PHEM Tool
8
Removed: List all pending authorities (laws, policies, decrees) related to the country’s PHEM program or PHEOC:
Removed for redundancy, unnecessary listing for planning purposes of tool
PHEM Tool 
9
Removed: Does the country’s PHEM program have a national Steering Committee to provide strategic direction which aligns with national policies and guidelines pertaining to  PHEM? 
Removed: If yes, did the national Steering Committee exist prior to the COVID-19 pandemic?
Added in row 17: Does the country’s PHEM program have a national policy group to provide strategic direction which aligns with national policies and guidelines pertaining to  PHEM?
Broadened from “steering committee” to “national policy group”; this tool no longer supports COVID-19 pandemic activities.
PHEM Tool
10
Removed: Describe if and how the COVID-19 pandemic changed the above processes:
this tool no longer supports COVID-19 pandemic activities.
PHEM Tool
11
Removed: Does the country require TA in the area of legal authorities?
Removed: If yes, please provide a brief description:	
Redundant with “Analysis and next steps” form
PHEM Tool 
12
Added in row 43: If yes to D2 and D3: The PHEM program communicates with the IHR NFP on a routine basis (at least quarterly).
Changed order of tool items
Clarifies frequency of communication with IHR NFP. 
Changed order to follow general questions on PHEM Program Infrastructure for ease of information collection.
PHEM Tool
13
Removed: Does the PHEM program have access to complete information on up-to-date location, phone number, email, points of contact for the following entities: 
Removed: Public health and health/human/social services, including sub-national offices, shelters, refugee/evacuee camps, etc. 
Removed: Other key government ministries (defense, animal health, disaster management)
Added in row 48: Does the PHEM program have access to complete information on up-to-date location, phone number, email, points of contact for the following entities stored in an area accessible for all appropriate staff: 
Added in row 53: Public health services
Added in row 54: Social services
Added in row 55: Refugee/evacuee camps
Added in row 56: Defense government ministries/entities
Added in row 57: Animal health government ministries/entities
Added in row 58: Disaster management government ministries/entities
Reworded question to emphasize accessibility of information. Split out sub-items into more discrete items to better identify gaps
PHEM Tool
15
Removed: If yes to question #14, how often are these contact lists tested (exercised) and updated?
Added in row 64: If yes to one or more between E1-E14: these contact lists are exercised/tested or utilized at least once a year.
Changed items from opened to closed format.
PHEM Tool
17
Removed: Has the country conducted a public health risk assessment? And Did the COVID-19 pandemic affect the country's ability to adequately perform a public health risk assessment?
Added in row 70: Has the country conducted an all-hazards public health risk assessment?
Specified “all-hazards” in question. 
this tool no longer supports COVID-19 pandemic activities.
PHEM Tool
20
Removed: If yes, specify below: Threats, hazards, vulnerabilities, and risks not identified.
Removed: Threats, hazards, vulnerabilities, and risks identified BUT not mapped.
Removed: Threats, hazards, vulnerabilities, and risks identified AND mapped.
Removed: Threats, hazards, vulnerabilities, and risks prioritized AND approved by national officials.
Removed: Other (explain):
Removed: Did the COVID-19 pandemic affect the ability to identify threats, hazards, vulnerabilities, and risks and how change how they were prioritized? 
Added in row 79: If yes: Are risk assessments reviewed annually? 
Added in row 80: If yes: Are the risk assessments updated every 3-5 years?
this tool no longer supports COVID-19 pandemic activities.
Streamlined answer responses to yes/no format to focus on frequency of risk assessment updates.
PHEM Tool 
21
Removed: Are the risk assessments reviewed on at least an annual basis?
Removed: Did the COVID-19 pandemic affect the country's ability to review the risk assessments on at least an annual basis? 
Added in row 81-84: Have contingency plans been developed for the following (select yes to maximum of 1 of the options below): All threats identified in the risk assessment; The top three threats identified in the risk assessment, but not all threats; The top threat identified in the risk assessment only
Item redundant with previous question; focused question on contingency plans developed based on risk assessment. 
this tool no longer supports COVID-19 pandemic activities.

PHEM Tool 
22
Removed: If yes, what was the date of the sub-national risk assessment?
Removed: If yes, how many regions/districts/provinces were included? 				
Added in row 86: If no: Are there plans to carry out a risk assessment at the sub-national level?		
Focused item to identify planning required for implementing risk assessment on sub-national level.
PHEM Tool
23-26
Reformatted items into grid in rows 205-221, columns B-L on the “PHEM Tool” tab
This format allows for better identification of capacity development needs and extent of workforce capacity for each core IMS position. 
Changed items from yes/no format to numeric counts to better understand workforce capacity and PHEM program workforce needs.
PHEM Tool
27
Removed: Are surge staff pre-identified and on a roster that is updated/verified at least quarterly?
Redundant with information requested in newly formatted grid
PHEM Tool
28
Removed: Is there surge capacity to respond to public health emergencies of national and international concern?  
Added in rows 217-221: The PHEOC manager is able to carry out the following activities independently: PHEOC activation; watch functions; plan development; training and exercises
Focused item on PHEOC manager skills and abilities to better understand capacity of PHEM program leadership
PHEM Tool
29
Removed: Describe access to and availability of public health subject matter experts (SMEs) and other Ministry of Health (MoH) staff who can fill various IMS, rapid response teams, and science roles during a response:
Added in row 92: Are public health subject matter experts (SMEs) and other Ministry of Health (MoH) staff available to fill various IMS, rapid response teams, and science roles during a response? 
Added in row 93: And Are public health subject matter experts (SMEs) and other Ministry of Health (MoH) staff listed as "on call" to fill various IMS, rapid response teams, and science roles during a response?
Changed items from opened to closed format to streamline information collected.
PHEM Tool
30
Removed: Does the PHEM program have a dedicated training section/unit to conduct PHEM training at national and sub-national levels?  
Added in row 94: Does the PHEM program have an established training section/unit to conduct continuous PHEM training at the national level?
Changed “dedicated” to “established” and removed sub-national level from question to focus on national level and allow flexibility in structure.
PHEM Tool
31-34
Removed items listing all PHEM courses and training levels for core IMS positions.
Added in row 211: How many of the individuals identified in P3 and P4 have received foundational training on IMS concepts in the past 3 years?
Added in row 212: How many of the individuals identified in P3 and P4 have received role-specific training in the past 3 years?
Allowed flexibility in specific courses completed by PHEM staff; modified questions to understand knowledge and skills gained by core IMS staff over the past 3 years.
PHEM Tool
35
Removed: Are trained individuals maintained in a roster?
Removed to streamline items on workforce capacity
PHEM Tool
36
Removed: What is the total number of people trained?
Redundant with reformatted PHEM staffing grid in rows 205-221, columns B-L
PHEM Tool
38
Removed: Are exercises are conducted in the PHEOC?
Added in row 228: Does the PHEM program conduct exercises?
Removed PHEOC focus to broaden focus to PHEM program capacity
PHEM Tool
39
Removed: Are exercises are conducted 2 or more times per year to test IMS activation procedures? 
Removed: If yes, did the COVID-19 pandemic change the frequency that exercises are conducted? 	
Added in row 229: Are functional exercises to test IMS activation procedures conducted at least once per year?
Added in row 230: If yes: Have SOPs been updated to reflect the lessons learned from drills or exercises? 
Added in row 231: Have training activities been updated to reflect lessons learned from drills or exercises?	
this tool no longer supports COVID-19 pandemic activities.
Focused question on frequency of exercises from at least 2 times per year to at least 1 time per year; focused item on utilizing exercise results to validate and update existing PHEM program plans and training.
PHEM Tool
41
Removed: Is there a system of monitoring and evaluation in place to assess the public health emergency management program capability and performance? 
Removed: If yes, was the system in place prior to the COVID-19 pandemic?
Removed because focus was too broad to properly assess evaluation capacity; this tool no longer supports COVID-19 pandemic activities.
PHEM Tool
42
Removed: Does the PHEM program use scheduled drills and exercise activities to test developed plans and assesses staff and system responses to identify areas for process improvement?  
Redundant question, removed to streamline tool
PHEM Tool
44
Removed: Are Inter-Action Reviews (a qualitative review of actions) conducted during each IMS activation?
Added in row 102: Are intra-action reviews, or in progress reviews, conducted during each IMS activation according to country requirements?
Corrected question to better understand capacity for evaluation processes for IMS activation
PHEM Tool
45
Added in row 105: If yes: Is there a corrective action plan based on the AAR that with deadlines and roles and responsibilities for implementation?
Added in row 106: If yes: Have SOPs been updated to reflect the lessons learned from activation?
Added in row 107: If yes: Have training activities been updated to reflect lessons learned from activation?
Added items to better understand capacity to use evaluation results to improve PHEM program processes and systems
PHEM Tool
46
Removed: early warning systems data
Added in row 118: please elaborate on which Ministries, Departments, and/or Agencies
Removed redundant item and added item to better understand linkages to other government entities
PHEM Tool
47
Removed: Does the PHEOC/PHEM program have dedicated staff and processes to receive, analyze, manage, report/display , and share surveillance data from the following and If none, is the PHEOC linked to the appropriate group/units responsible for collecting data from the above groups?
Added in row 119: Does the PHEM Program have access to surveillance data from the following groups for timely decision making 
Added in row 129: Is the core group that manages surveillance part of the PHEM program? 
Added in row 130: If no: are there linkages to these teams to ensure the PHEM program has access to accurate information for timely decision making?
Focused question on access to information for decision-making, instead of PHEM program staff capacity to manage and utilize information.
PHEM Tool
48
Removed: Are forms and templates for data collection, reporting, and briefing in place?
Removed item to streamline focus to identify key PHEM program capacity gaps
PHEM Tool
49
Removed: Does the PHEOC have the staff, systems and equipment to conduct event-based surveillance such as monitoring of rumors, informal reporting of clusters of disease or death, media reports, etc.? 
Removed: If yes, was event-based surveillance in place prior to the COVID-19 pandemic? 
Removed: If no, is the PHEOC is linked to the appropriate group/unit responsible for event-based surveillance? 
Added in row 131: Does the PHEM Program utilize event-based surveillance data to inform notification and reporting processes, such as alerts, critical information requirements, etc?
Focused question on access to information for decision-making, instead of PHEM program staff capacity to manage and utilize information.
PHEM Tool
50
Removed: Has the PHEOC linked to sources for contextual data and information (i.e. weather, population, maps, hospitals, number of internally displaced persons) to create a common operating picture? 
Removed: If no, is the PHEOC linked to the appropriate group/unit responsible for contextual data and information for a common operating picture? 
Added in row 146: Is the PHEM program linked to sources for contextual data and information (i.e. weather, population, maps, hospitals, number of internally displaced persons) to create a common operating picture?
Streamlined question to focus on linkages of PHEM program to relevant information for a common operating picture.
PHEM Tool
51
Removed: If no, is there a mandatory reporting system in place? 
Removed: Does mandatory reporting system provide information the  PHEOC?
Focused question on key information needed to identify gaps in PHEM program capacity
PHEM Tool
52
Removed: Has the PHEOC/PHEM PROGRAM pre-identified Critical Information Requirements (CIRs) which can trigger an activation? And If yes, did the COVID-19 pandemic change the CIR activation process?
Added in row 148: Has the PHEM program identified Critical Information Requirements (CIRs) which can trigger an activation?
Added in row 150: A functional mechanism for collaboration and timely and systematic information exchange between public health and law enforcement agencies in case of deliberate and/or accidental events.

Changed “pre-identified” to “identified” to streamline language; this tool no longer supports COVID-19 pandemic activities.
Added item to better understand capacity to link law enforcement information to PHEM program for decision making.
PHEM Tool
53
Removed: If yes, were the sharing agreements in place prior to the COVID-19 pandemic?
this tool no longer supports COVID-19 pandemic activities.
PHEM Tool
55
Removed: Was there an EOP prior to the COVID-19 pandemic?  
this tool no longer supports COVID-19 pandemic activities.
PHEM Tool
56
Removed: Identification of all intended levels and players involved in emergency response, management and how each organization fits into the national response system 
Removed: Identification of an authority structure or matrix for decision making; Identification of an authority structure or matrix for decision making
Removed: Did the concept of operations exist prior to the COVID-19 pandemic?  
Added in row 175: Identification of all intended levels and stakeholders involved in emergency response, management and how each organization fits into the national response system?
Changed “players” to “stakeholders” to improve clarity of the question.
Removed parts of the question that were redundant to streamline content; this tool no longer supports COVID-19 pandemic activities.
PHEM Tool
58
Removed: External: Are there plans to issue specific risk communications (e.g., alerts, risk factors, protective actions, guidance, recommendations, etc.) to the general public or to targeted populations via traditional media (e.g., TV, radio, etc.). established using a multi-hazard approach?
Added in row 178: Are there plans to issue specific risk communications (e.g., alerts, risk factors, protective actions, guidance, recommendations, etc.) to the general public or to targeted populations via traditional media (e.g., TV, radio, etc.). established using a multi-hazard approach?
Streamlined question content for clarity
PHEM Tool
59
Removed: SOPs for daily operations; and Activation and notification procedures for all PHEOC staff, relevant sub-national offices, other ministries, and partners
Added in row 183: SOPs for watch mode
Added in row 184: SOPs for alert mode
Added in row 185: SOPs for response mode
Added in row 186: SOPs for activation and deactivation
Added in row 189: Procedures for preliminary assessment to determine activation
Added in row 190: Notification procedures for all PHEOC staff, relevant sub-national offices, other ministries, and partners
Specified SOPs and procedures to better understand PHEM systems, plans, and procedures capacity
PHEM Tool
60
Removed: Activation Criteria are established and are utilized (Yes/No)
Removed: SOPs for Activation and De-Activation of IMS exist and are utilized (Yes/No)
Removed: Levels of activation are described with corresponding organigrammes (Yes/No)
Redundant to items added for 59
PHEM Tool
61
Removed item
Redundant to items added for 59
PHEM Tool
New item
Added in row 27: Is there an existing Public Health Emergency Operations Center (PHEOC)?
Added in row 28: If yes: Can the PHEOC facility convene PHEM program and appropriate partners/liaisons to meet regularly if the IMS is activated?
Added in row 29: If yes: Does the PHEOC facility have audiovisual capability to display information and data for key decision making and discussion activities?
Added in row 30: If yes: Can the PHEOC facility safely and securely house equipment and technological infrastructure required to collect and manage data and information? 

PHEM Tool
62
Removed item
Not necessary for adequate understanding of PHEM program infrastructure capacity
PHEM Tool
63
Moved item to “PHEOC infrastructure checklist” form
If it is determined that the PHEM program has extensive PHEOC infrastructure, these items on the “PHEOC infrastructure checklist” form can be completed.
PHEM Tool
64
Moved item to “PHEOC infrastructure checklist” form
If it is determined that the PHEM program has extensive PHEOC infrastructure, these items on the “PHEOC infrastructure checklist” form can be completed.
PHEM Tool
65
Removed: Communications equipment in possession of field personnel is tested at least once per year; and b. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)			
Added in rows 31-34: Does the PHEM Program have access to the following equipment; Personal Protective Equipment (PPE); Communications equipment in possession of field personnel; If yes: communications equipment is tested at least once per year
Reworded and organized for clarity, to better understand extent of capacity
PHEM Tool
66
Moved item to “PHEOC infrastructure checklist” form
If it is determined that the PHEM program has extensive PHEOC infrastructure, these items on the “PHEOC infrastructure checklist” form can be completed.
PHEM Tool
67
Moved item to “PHEOC infrastructure checklist” form
If it is determined that the PHEM program has extensive PHEOC infrastructure, these items on the “PHEOC infrastructure checklist” form can be completed.
PHEM Tool
68
Moved item to “PHEOC infrastructure checklist” form
If it is determined that the PHEM program has extensive PHEOC infrastructure, these items on the “PHEOC infrastructure checklist” form can be completed.
PHEM Tool
69
Moved item to “PHEOC infrastructure checklist” form
If it is determined that the PHEM program has extensive PHEOC infrastructure, these items on the “PHEOC infrastructure checklist” form can be completed.
PHEM Tool
70
Removed: The PHEM program has, or has access to, trained staff and systems to disseminate the following to relevant partners:  
Added in row 132: Does the PHEM program have access to trained staff and systems to disseminate the following to relevant partners:
Reworded to emphasize importance of access to information for decision making and distribution to understand PHEM program capacity




Analysis and next steps
Complete form
Add new form
To better manage information collection, the analysis and next steps were moved to a different tab in the excel file for easy reference and access, separate from the PHEM Tool questions
Guidance
Complete form
Add new form
To consolidate all reference and guidance on PHEM Tool items, the guidance was placed on a different tab in the same file for easy access.
PHEOC infrastructure check list
Complete form
Add new form
Because many countries will not have a PHEM program with advanced infrastructure supporting the PHEM program, an optional PHEOC infrastructure checklist was created on a separate tab in the same file, and relevant items from the PHEM Tool were moved to this form. If it is determined that the PHEM program has extensive PHEOC infrastructure, these items on the “PHEOC infrastructure checklist” form can be completed.
Milestones
Complete form
Add new form
Strategic milestones indicating extent of PHEM program capacity were drafted; these have been included on a separate tab in the same file for reference, as information on capacities is collected.
Numbers
Complete form
Add new form
Conditional formatting was added to the PHEM Tool tab; the number list is part of formulas for that conditional formatting to easily reference selected responses for tool items.