http://www.amcity.com/eastbay/stories/1999/12/27/story5.html

Many plan to greet new millennium at work

David Goll

Most people don't regard hospitals as New Year's Eve hot spots, but Cassandra Phelps contends that may change this year.

"This may be the happening place in Castro Valley as we enter the new millennium," said the Eden Medical Center spokeswoman with a chuckle.

Hospitals, universities, private companies and shopping centers throughout the East Bay will be far more populated than usual this Dec. 31 as officials hedge their bets in case feared, but unlikely Y2K computer problems don't pass them by as hoped.

At Eden - one of three designated East Bay trauma centers - managers of 16 de-partments will greet this milestone New Year's in a center operating on a "modified disaster plan," Phelps said.

"Like every hospital, we have disaster plans for internal and external scenarios, and I guess Y2K has the potential of being both," she said. "Although we don't anticipate anything happening and we're probably over-prepared, we have to be vigilant. Besides, holiday weekends are always busy."

Two years ago, the hospital handled 23 traumas in 24 hours on New Year's Eve. This year's millennium bash, regardless of the Y2K bug, will likely mean more emergencies.

At California State University in Hayward, 40 staff members will be on duty from 6 p.m. Dec. 31 through New Year's Day to monitor electrical systems, computer labs, plumbing and phones, said Craig Ishida, director of the CSUH Office of Environmental Safety.

Classes resume Jan. 3, so the most immediate concern will be guaranteeing water and electricity on campus and in dormitories. In the event of power failures, backup generators have been brought in to power lights and elevators. Two-way radios are on hand if phones go out.

Retail businesses observe few holidays, so local shopping malls planning to be open New Year's Day have tried to anticipate potential dilemmas.

"We're in good shape as we've tested everything run by computer - escalators, elevators and lights," said Tom McCracken, general manager of Concord's Sunvalley Shopping Center.

Sunvalley Facilities Director Robert Olinger will be on hand Dec. 31 along with extra security. Hoping for a three-hour alert, Olinger will talk with his counterparts at an eastern Taubman Centers Inc. mall to see if midnight's arrival causes problems there.

Alice Waterman, general manager of Pleasanton's Stoneridge Shopping Center, said she'll err on the side of caution because no one knows exactly what to expect.

"We're a 24-7 operation, so someone's always around, but we'll have facilities people on site," she said. "The mall will be closed, so what could really happen?"

Reach Goll at dgoll@amcity.com or 925-598-1436.

-- Uncle Bob (UNCLB0B@AOL.COM), December 27, 1999