Though the general public is still being told, San Diego is Y2K-OK, all members of the Disaster Council are now gearing up to "prepare for the worse case."...
The Captain advised me that preparations are currently underway at their facility for installation of back-up generators and fuel, water, food (M.R.E.'s more than likely) and porta potties ... enough for a ten day period....
However, "the major difference between this and other disasters is that there may not be assistance from other counties, state or federal government."..
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The operational area of San Diego County is 4,261 square miles, with a population close to 3 million, is home to the largest concentration of military installations in the world and shares an international border with Mexico. Further, this area is "one of the most highly computerized counties, per capita, in the United States. It is home to a significant number of hi-tech firms which depend on computers, telephones and power to stay in business."
However, when the possibility of Year 2000 impacts were discussed by Emergency Planners in early 1998, they determined that no changes to the standardized disaster plans already in place needed to be considered.
Then, in February, of 1999, the tune changed. The Emergency Services Organization issued a directive to all members of the Unified Disaster Council regarding the necessity for each department to develop a Y2K Contingency Plan. All members were advised that as in any emergency preparation effort, "some assumptions are based on "worse case" conditions that may not occur during the actual event. However, failure to prepare for those conditions could result in failure of the entire plan." Many of the problems, suggested the directive, that are associated with other disasters could occur in the event of this "computer problem."
However, "the major difference between this and other disasters is that there may not be assistance from other counties, state or federal government."
Though the general public is still being told, San Diego is Y2K-OK, all members of the Disaster Council are now gearing up to "prepare for the worse case."
At one Sheriff's substation, law enforcement personnel are being rallied. They are all required to participate in operational information plans that include training to handle "normal preparations for mass disaster situations." (Even Reserve officers are receiving training) They are learning how to handle setting up teams, preparing for crowd control and for civil unrest. Special tactical gear including gas masks have been ordered.
The Captain advised me that preparations are currently underway at their facility for installation of back-up generators and fuel, water, food (M.R.E.'s more than likely) and porta potties, enough for a ten day period. Special arrangements are underway to provide preparedness training for the families of the deputies. Needless to say, all vacations have been suspended during December and January.
The Y2K contingency plans for one local city Fire Department include preparations for the fire station, the employees, their families and they have requested our video to be shown on the City's Public access television station. The Chief says he believes his department will be better equipped to handle the impacts of Y2K if the local residents are also informed.
Another fire station has already located two businesses that use computers to monitor toxic chemicals and blasting materials that, if not Y2K compliant, might be a hazard to the local community. If these businesses cannot prove that their equipment is Y2K compliant by November of 1999, they Fire Marshall will close them down ...
TIP OF THE WEEK
Though no one knows for sure how Y2K will impact us, in San Diego, the Emergency Services Organization has now seen fit to direct its members to have a Y2K contingency plan and "prepare for the worse case."
Some of those members have already shared information with the public, some may tell you soon, others may choose not to because they don't want you to panic. Still others seem to be preparing their departments as if there might be a war -- that when you do find out, you'll panic.
On the other hand, there are a couple of departments that informed me that their cities had already "fixed" their computers or "they did not have a computer problem" and there was no need to address Y2K further. Even the Emergency teams see Y2K from different perspectives.
Which departments do we believe, those preparing for the worse case or those who think we are Y2K-OK? All I can do here is dig up the information and share it with you. In the final analysis, we all have personal choice. You have to make up your own mind whether or not to act and to what extent.
If any law enforcement agencies would like help in setting up contingency plans, our Sheriff's Captain suggests you may call San Diego County's Emergency Planning Detail at (619)448-5517. Fire Chiefs may call Chief Bob Krans, Poway Fire Department at (619)679-4392. If you need help preparing yourselves, employees and families, please review my previous articles or contact me directly.
Remember it does no good if your employees don't show up for work because their families weren't prepared.
Shelter, water, fire and food are your needs. All the rest are wants.
By Susan Conniry
y2ktimebomb.com
Are We or Are We Not Y2K-OK?
In early June, officials from the White House's Year 2000 office will begin traveling to communities to promote town hall-like meetings to convene local officials, citizens and service providers for discussions on potential Year 2000 failures.
civic.com
"we've told our local governments and our state governments that they need to be prepared to handle emergencies on their own, since the federal government can't be everywhere dealing with every problem in light of the large number of problems that we are likely to have" ...
"we should also obviously expect that we will have a large number, possibly, of what would be manageable failures taken one at a time, which will overwhelm the normal emergency response processes when they happen all at once." ...
"we've asked FEMA to... make clear to the state and local emergency managers ... that those local governments should not assume that the federal government and FEMA will be able to come to their assistance no matter what their problem is, because we may have so many problems in localities across the country that we can't be everywhere at once. "
John Koskinen, Chair - President's Council on Y2K Conversion
Transcript, APEC Summit, May 4, 1999
United States Information Agency
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Cheryl |
