Y2K May Impact Local Emergency Services
(03/22/99, 8:52 p.m. ET)
By Mary Mosquera, TechWeb

WASHINGTON, D.C.-- Americans may experience some disruption in state and local emergency services because they lag in preparation for the year 2000 computer problem, emergency officials told lawmakers on Monday.

Fire service and 9-1-1 calling centers, in particular, need increased attention, said Mike Walker, deputy director, Federal Emergency Management Agency before the House Government Reform Committee. FEMA is working more closely now with state emergency services, which expect to be fully compliant by Jan. 1. Currently, only 17 percent of 9-1-1 centers and 35 percent of fire departments are prepared.

Yikes.

Mr. K
***nuff said***

LINK- 911 Article on TechWeb

-- Mr. Kennedy (looking@articles.now), March 23, 1999

Answers

Mr. Kennedy,

Facts do have a way of surfacing in due course.

Your searching and posting is making a very helpful contribution.

With thanks and best wishes,

-- Watchful (seethesea@msn.com), March 23, 1999.

From the same article:

Panic among Americans, however, may be a greater danger than the actual anticipated minor interruptions, Walker said. Emergency officials have advised that Americans prepare as they would for a snowstorm or hurricane with a few days' worth of water, canned goods, and cash. A few days' stockpiling now makes more sense instead of waiting until the last minute when masses may empty store shelves and create an urgent situation, Humphrey said. Some Internet sites and organizations are breeding a survivalist mentality.

Community action is the best approach, Humphrey said. Elected officials should encourage community activists to volunteer with their local Red Cross or organize themselves to help prepare for the millennium. Humphrey proposed local governments conduct regional readiness tests.

Best Regards

-- Tom McDowell (bullriver@montana.com), March 23, 1999.

You certainly do your share of good contributions Watchful. Keep at it.

I found this to be of particular interest in connection with the fact that the county I live in has just now started inventory of the 911 and emergency services equipment. From talking with county management, it is still up in the air (you know - the dreaded committee syndrome as to what to do after that...

Mr. K
***not waiting on them***

-- Mr. Kennedy (not@home.now), March 23, 1999.

Yikes!

-- Deborah (infowars@yahoo.com), March 23, 1999.

How is this "nuff said"? Check your calendar -- it's March 23rd, not December 31st. I must have missed the part where it said that nothing else would be done in these areas the rest of the year and those remaining 911 centers and Fire Departments would remain non-compliant.

ANP

-- Another NORMal Person (ANP@BettyFord.com), March 23, 1999.

ANP,
What's December 31st got to do with the discussion?

MR. K
***has perfectly good calendars -- they're Y2K compliant and everything***

-- Mr. Kennedy (you're@a.loss), March 23, 1999.