Agency Information Collection Activities: The Department of Homeland Security, Emergency Communications Division, Communications Assets Survey and Mapping (CASM) Tool[...]

Agency Information Collection Activities: The Department of Homeland Security, Emergency Communications Division, Communications Assets Survey and Mapping (CASM) Tool Registration Tool

DATES:

Comments are encouraged and will be accepted until October 19, 2026.

Submissions received after the deadline for receiving comments may not be considered.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Emergency Communications Division (ECD), formed under Title XVIII of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, 6 U.S.C. 571 et seq., as amended, is required, pursuant to 6 U.S.C. 571(c)(5)to conduct extensive, nationwide outreach and foster the development of interoperable emergency communications capabilities by state, regional, local, and tribal governments and public safety agencies, and by regional consortia thereof. To achieve this, ECD provides the communications assets and survey mapping (CASM) tool. The CASM tool is the primary resource nationwide for the emergency communications community to inventory and share asset and training information for the purpose of planning public safety communications operability and interoperability. ECD provides the communications assets survey and mapping (CASM) tool as a secure and free nationwide database to contain communications capabilities for use by federal, state, local, territorial, and tribal (SLTT) emergency personnel. CASM allows federal employees and SLTT statewide interoperability coordinators (SWIC) to inventory emergency communication equipment and resources. The information entered is voluntary and used by SWIC to support tactical planning and coordination during emergencies. ECD does not utilize the information entered into CASM. ECD only provides, maintains, and stores the information entered in the CASM database and only has administrative access to the information entered.

CASM Registration

To get access to the CASM tool, users click on the "request new access" link on the CASM login page ( https://login.CASM.cisa.dhs.gov/ ). The registration requires that users enter their name, contact information, reason for their access request, type of data to access, and access level. Once entered, the access request is routed to their organization's approving authority. Once the organization's approving authority vets and authorizes the access request, the user account is automatically created, and users are notified via an auto-generated email.

CASM Modules

The CASM consists of voluntary modules related to the different types of capabilities. There is a module for assets, which contains information about emergency equipment, the equipment capabilities and location. There is a personnel module, which contains personnel name, contact information and information about their communications unit (COMU) training. The personnel module allows SWICs to track their personnel's COMU training.

All information is collected via electronic means. The CASM registration and database tool is available online via https://login.CASM.cisa.dhs.gov/. Users can also access and enter information via the CASM resource finder mobile app.

This information collection does not impact small businesses or other small entities. This database allows ECD to execute its statutory authority under 6 U.S.C. 571 to conduct extensive, nationwide outreach to support and promote the ability of emergency response providers and relevant government officials to continue to communicate in the event of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters. Without CASM and the federal government's ability to empower the states, ECD would not have an organic way for states to create a centralized and secure emergency assets and equipment database. Information is protected by the Privacy Act of 1974 and is kept private or anonymous to the extent allowable by law.

The DHS Privacy Office review finds that this is a privacy sensitive collection requiring a privacy impact assessment (PIA) and system of records notice (SORN). The collection is covered by PIA-DHS/ALL/PIA-006 DHS general contacts list and SORN-DHS/ALL-002 DHS mailing and other lists system, 73 FR 71659 (Nov. 25, 2008) and SORN-DHS/ALL-004 general information technology access account records system (GITAARS), 77 FR 70792 (Nov. 27, 2012).

This is an extension of a currently approved collection without change.

The Office of Management and Budget is particularly interested in comments which:

1. Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;

2. Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

3. Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

4. Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submissions of responses.

Analysis

Agency: Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Title: Communications Assets Survey and Mapping (CASM) Tool Registration Form.

OMB Number: 1670-0043.

Frequency: As needed.

Affected Public: Emergency Communication Personnel.

Number of Respondents: 56 annually.

Estimated Time per Respondent: .5 hours (30 minutes).

Total Burden Hours: 341 hours.

Total Annual Burden Cost: $19,981.

Total Annual Government Burden Cost: $3,000,000.