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U.S. Code as of:
01/19/04
Section 2208. National Fire Data Center
(a) Functions
The Administrator shall operate, directly or through contracts or
grants, an integrated, comprehensive National Fire Data Center for
the selection, analysis, publication, and dissemination of
information related to the prevention, occurrence, control, and
results of fires of all types. The program of such Data Center
shall be designed to (1) provide an accurate nationwide analysis of
the fire problem, (2) identify major problem areas, (3) assist in
setting priorities, (4) determine possible solutions to problems,
and (5) monitor the progress of programs to reduce fire losses. To
carry out these functions, the Data Center shall gather and analyze
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(1) information on the frequency, causes, spread, and
extinguishment of fires;
(2) information on the number of injuries and deaths resulting
from fires, including the maximum available information on the
specific causes and nature of such injuries and deaths, and
information on property losses;
(3) information on the occupational hazards faced by
firefighters, including the causes of deaths and injuries
arising, directly and indirectly, from firefighting activities;
(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 blow-out fires,
and water-borne 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.
(c) Dissemination of fire data
The Administrator shall insure dissemination to the maximum
extent possible of 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.
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