FR 2024-28310

The document published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is a formal notice seeking public comments on the renewal of the Youth Preparedness Council (YPC) Application Form. This initiative is targeted at engaging youth leaders in advancing community preparedness and promoting national advocacy for emergency readiness. The notice specifies that comments can be submitted until January 2, 2025, allowing the public to express their thoughts on the necessity and efficacy of the data collection process associated with the council's application.

Summary

FEMA aims to collect demographic and application information from potential candidates to select members for the Youth Preparedness Council. The document indicates that the process involves retaining applicants' demographic data confidentially, suggesting that the information is crucial for responding to applications and obtaining a representative sample. In terms of regulatory processes, the information collection adheres to requirements established by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

Issues and Concerns

Several issues arise from the document that may warrant examination. Firstly, it does not provide insights into why it's important to continue this information collection, especially given the absence of public feedback in the initial round of comments. Additionally, the effectiveness or success of the Youth Preparedness Council in enhancing community preparedness is not substantiated with examples or data, which could strengthen the council's perceived value.

Another concern is the lack of clarity regarding the costs associated with the process. The document presents figures for the estimated annual cost to respondents and the federal government but does not explain how these numbers are calculated. This lack of transparency could hinder the ability of stakeholders to assess whether the expenditures are justified.

There is also no detailed explanation on data privacy measures for the sensitive demographic and contact information collected from applicants. While securing such data is mentioned, the absence of specific protocols or policies might raise concerns about the protection of personal information.

Lastly, while technological submission methods are acknowledged, the document's language is somewhat ambiguous, not specifying the exact technologies or electronic platforms used for application submissions. Such vagueness could lead to confusion or accessibility issues for potential applicants.

Impact on the Public and Stakeholders

The public could be impacted by this document through increased awareness and opportunities for youth to engage in community preparedness initiatives. However, the lack of detailed information regarding the benefits and successes of the council can limit public enthusiasm and participation.

For specific stakeholders, such as potential youth candidates, understanding the selection criteria and process is vital. The document only briefly mentions desirable traits like dedication to public service and the potential for community impact, without outlining the evaluation process in detail. This may create challenges for applicants who are eager to contribute but are unclear about how their applications will be assessed.

In conclusion, while the FEMA document appears to facilitate youth involvement in national preparedness, addressing these concerns could enhance transparency and engagement, encouraging a broader and more informed participation from the public and potential stakeholders.

The document regarding the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Youth Preparedness Council (YPC) application form includes several financial references that warrant examination.

Firstly, the document outlines an Estimated Total Annual Respondent Cost of $2,974. This figure represents the total cost incurred by individuals or households submitting an application to be part of the Youth Preparedness Council. It's important to note, however, that the document does not specify the components that make up this total. Without a detailed breakdown or explanation of how this amount was calculated, it is challenging to understand if the cost is reasonable or includes elements such as time investment, material costs, or other expenses related to the application process.

Additionally, the document states that there are Estimated Respondents' Operation and Maintenance Costs and Estimated Respondents' Capital and Start-Up Costs of $0 each. This suggests that there are no additional operational or initial costs required from respondents beyond those included in the estimated total annual respondent cost. The implication here might be that the application process is designed to be straightforward and not require any special resources or ongoing expenses.

Moreover, the Estimated Total Annual Cost to the Federal Government for managing this program is disclosed as $77,538. This cost reflects the resources FEMA allocates to support the application process, potentially covering expenses such as personnel hours for reviewing applications, maintaining the application submission platform, and other administrative duties associated with overseeing the Youth Preparedness Council. However, the document lacks a detailed explanation of how this cost is derived, which raises questions about the efficiency and justifiability of the expenditure, especially in the absence of public feedback on the program's effectiveness during the initial comment period.

These financial allocations are directly tied to some identified issues in the document. For instance, the absence of specific data on the program’s prior effectiveness or impact on community preparedness calls into question whether these expenditures produce tangible benefits. Additionally, there is no clarity regarding the protection of applicants' demographic and contact information, which could be a factor contributing to the total federal expenses, particularly if specialized data management systems are involved.

In conclusion, while the document provides clear financial figures associated with the FEMA Youth Preparedness Council application process, it lacks transparency and detailed explanations regarding the derivation and justification of these costs. This makes it difficult to evaluate the prudence and impact of the financial commitments made by both applicants and the federal government.