EMC153  FIRE SERVICES FACE Y2K CHALLENGE 1/2
To:   Emergency Communications Units - Information Bulletin
To:   Emergency Management Agencies via Internet and Radio
By:   Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS) of the
        California Governor's Office of Emergency Services  

EMC153  FIRE SERVICES FACE Y2K CHALLENGE   1/2  10/12/98

From The FEMA Bulletin:

FIRE SERVICES FACE Y2K CHALLENGE

"The approach of the Year 2000 has captured attention and stirred
imaginations worldwide. Much has been written about the impact
of this date change on computer systems. There are currently many
automated and intelligent computer systems not designed
to account for the millennial date change of January 1, 2000. If not
addressed, there is a legitimate concern that the Year 2000 Problem 
could consequently affect our nation's telecommunications systems.  

"Michael K. Powell, Defense Commissioner for the Federal 
Communications Commission (FCC), recently discussed the problem 
in an article entitled "The Year 2000 Bug and Public Safety Communications." 
With his permission, this piece borrows heavily from his article to address 
related issues that could impact fire and emergency services.

"The Federal Emergency Management Agency's United States Fire
Administration (USFA) and the FCC, are particularly concerned about the
public safety communications networks and operational systems that fire
departments and emergency service organizations rely upon to ensure 
prompt and continuous emergency services to the public. It is possible 
that the Y 2000 Problem could affect electronic devices as diverse as 
security systems, communications and dispatch systems, 911 reporting 
systems, and the microcomputers that help run apparatus and climate 
control systems. 

"Problems with any of these systems would have a negative impact on
emergency services ability to respond," said USFA Administrator Carrye B.
Brown.  "The fire and emergency services community must make checking 
and correcting these vital systems a top priority for Year 2000 readiness."

"Many fire departments nationwide have already acted to fix Year 2000
Problems. Yet, there is concern that some departments are just now
realizing the seriousness of the problem, and have not yet taken the
necessary steps to prevent system disruptions. There will be no last
minute miracle fix and the deadline cannot be negotiated. No one can
afford to put off the inevitable any longer: America's public safety
communications networks and operational systems must be made
ready for the Year 2000.  

(continued next week)
                               ---
ACS Web page: http://acs.oes.ca.gov       FTP archive:
ftp.ucsd.edu/hamradio/packet/tcpip/incoming for new
bulletins and ftp.ucsd.edu/hamradio/races for earlier ones.
Landline BBS: 916-262-0856 (graphical & standard interface).
Dave Larton, ACS Training Officer: email: Dave_Larton@oes.ca.gov
EOM EMC153