The Citizen, 1999-12-08, Page 7THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBERS, 1999. PAGE 7.
Who’s prepared for Y2K?
Y2K — who’s ready, who's not.
w ho cares?
For most residents the big ques
tion is whether or not the emergen
cy personnel are ready to deal with
any concerns that may arise this
New Year’s Eve. Sr. Const. Don
Shropshall of the Huron OPP said
that several steps have been taken
to prepare for any eventuality.
“All major OPP offices will be
open from 8 p.m. New Year's Eve
all through Jan. 1 until midnight, to
deal with caHs or business. Every
officer not working has notified us
as to where they will be so that they
can be contacted if needed.”
Shropshall added that approxi
mately 250 officers from headquar
ters will be moved out to various
locations across the province. “I
don’t expect anything to happen.
We will be relying on our own peo
ple, yet others will be available for
assistance.”
The detachment has portable
generators to keep everything up
and running there.
To ensure that others are ready as
well Staff Sgt. Gary Martin has
worked with them to prepare.
Huron was among three of the
detachments put through scenarios
to practise procedures. Martin also
contacted local municipalities
about dealing with emergencies as
well as ensuring shelters were
available in communities.
Bill Burkholder, deputy fire chief
of Blyth said that members of that
department will be at the fire hall
on New Year’s Eve in case phone
systems go down so people know
where to go for assistance. The
department has had back-ups for its
radio systems for several years
should hydro go down.
In Brussels, Fire Chief Murray
McArter said the emergency plan is
in place and the firefighters will be
on call. They renewed the emergen
cy plan with a representative from
Emergency Measures. The fire hall
has been wired with a generator for
back-up heat and hydro.
With emergency people ready,
wood said that there has been no
increased sales in wood. A local
computer business said they have
been selling more surge protectors
and anti-virus software. A few cus
tomers have inquired as to their
computer’s compatibility, but,
“nobody seems too concerned.”
Municipal administrators too are
seeing few signs of alarm. Lori
Pipe, deputy clerk-treasurer said
that there have been few inquiries
into whether or not the village is
ready for the year 2000.
Julie Wheeler at the Blyth munic
ipal office also said that there have
been no questions from the public.
“The computer system has been
tested, the fire department is all
compliant. We should be okay,”
she said.”
Clerk-Treasurer Donna White
said the biggest challenge has been
answering the questions from the
government ministries. “They have,
inundated us with questions, want
ing information on what we’re
doing. However, being a smaller
community, a lot of our systems
aren’t run by computer. I figure our
worst-case scenario would be a
snowstorm and the hydro out for
weeks. It’s not likely, but it could
happen.”
Residents feel much the same
way. In a random survey of 100
area residents, concern was less for
Y2K issues than for general emer
gency preparedness. However,
while there were none taking
extraordinary precautions, a few
were taking some steps such as
buying bottled water and firewood.
There were some concerns
expressed about negative public
reaction to an emergency. The con
sensus was that if everyone looks
the OPP have been advising the
general public as well, who seem
relatively unconcerned about the
issue. Area businesses have noticed
little retail resulting from Y2K pre
paredness. Steve Caldwell at
Aubum Co-op said that a few peo
ple have asked for generators but
little else.
A spokesperson at Craig’s Hard-
out for each other and doesn’t over-
react any problems would be mini-
malized.
“As well as looking out for your
self keep an eye on neighbours,
particularly the elderly. See what
can be done to help them,” said
Shropshall. “It would be great if
people would step forward and
help.”
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OPP offer Y2K tips
As the days slide by and the new
millennium approaches, there are
steps which can be taken to prepare
for system failures.
Senior OPP Constable Don
Shropshall of the Huron Detach
ment says there are some basic
items residents should have on
hand to deal with power outages.
Ensuring the family is warm and
fed is the first concern. Add some
non-perishable food items and bot
tled water to the cupboards and an
ample supply of blankets or sleep
ing bags helps.
If alternative cooking facilities
are needed, Shropshall reminds res
idents that charcoal and gas barbe
cues must only be operated outside
due to fumes. Generators to provide
power must be kept outdoors for
the same reason.
Residents should know how to
turn off the source of water, gas
and electricity.
A good supply of candles with
proper holders, matches in a water
proof container, a first aid kit,
tools, a wind-up clock and batteries
for a radio and flashlight help meet
the needs.
One item often overlooked is
medication. Shropshall says to
ensure prescriptions are filled and
kept with the person.
He also suggests the car is refu
eled so it is ready if needed and
there is a little stash of cash in case
the bank machines go down.
Though Shropshall doesn’t
expect anything to happen when
the clock ticks over to Jan. 1, it is
better to be prepared.
Sorry,
our mistake
There were errors in the court
report regarding Reagan Lei bold of
Wingham printed in last week’s
issue of The Citizen.
Charged with impaired driving
and possession of marijuana, Lei-
bold pled guilty and received fines
of $750 for the impaired and $100
for the possession. He is also pro
hibited from driving for a period of
12 months.
There was no period of proba
tion.
We apologize for the mistakes.
^z,.:
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