Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 88 Part 2.djvu/226

 1542

PUBLIC LAW 93-498-OCT. 29, 1974

[88 STAT.

(4) information on all types of firefighting activities, including inspection practices; (5) technical information related to building construction, fire properties of materials, and similar information; (6) information on fire prevention and control laws, systems, methods, techniques, and administrative structures used in foreign nations; (7) information on the causes, behavior, and best method of control of other types of fire, including, but not limited to, forest fires, brush fires, fire underground, oil l3low-out fires, and waterborne fires; and (8) such other information and data as is deemed useful and applicable. (b) METHODS.—In carrying out the program of the Data Center, the Administrator is authorized to— (1) develop standardized data reporting methods; (2) encourage and assist State, local, and other agencies, public and private, in developing and reporting information; and (3) make full use of existing data gathering and analysis organizations, both public and private. J"f°=Ti!f'°" '^^^' (c) DISSEMINATION.—The Administrator shall insure disseminasemination. emination.

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tion to the maximum extent possible or fire data collected and developed by the Data Center, and shall make such data, information, and analysis available in appropriate form to Federal agencies. State and local governments, private organizations, industry, business, and other interested persons. MASTER PLANS

15 USC 2209.

SEC. 10. (a) GENERAL.—The establishment of master plans for fire prevention and control are the responsibility of the States and the political subdivisions thereof. The Administrator is authorized to encourage and assist such States and political subdivisions in such planning activities, consistent with his powers and duties under this ^ct. Report to Con(b) REPORT.—Four ycars after the date of enactment of this Act, gress. the Secretary shall submit to the Congress a report on the establishment and effectiveness of master plans in the field of fire prevention and control throughout the Nation. Such report shall include, but need not be limited to— (1) a summary of the extent and quality of master planning activities; (2) a summary and evaluation of master plans that have been prepared by States and political subdivisions thereof. Such summary and evaluation shall consider, with respect to each such plan (A) the characteristics of the jurisdiction adopting it, including, but not limited to, density and distribution of population; ratio of volunteer versus paid fire services; geographic location, topography, and climate; per capita rate of death and property loss from fire; size and characteristics of political subdivisions of the governmental units thereof; and socio-economic composition; and (B) the approach to development and implementation of the master plans; (3) an evaluation of the best approach to the development and implementation of master plans (e.g., central planning by a State agency, regionalized planning within a State coordinated by a State agency, or local planning supplemented and coordinated by a State agency); (4) an assessment of the costs and benefits of master plans; (5) a recommendation to Congress on whether Federal financial assistance should be authorized in order that master plans can be developed in all States; and

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