EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
REPORT for CITY OF CHARLES TOWN

In anticipation of any natural disaster or emergency, including computer problems when the year 2000 arrives, the City has undergone a study of public services they provide. Many concerns have been researched in order to provide a readiness report for the City of Charles Town. An evaluation of the Police Department, Water Department, Sewer Department and emergency services such as fire and ambulance dispatch has been completed. In addition, radio and telephone communications have been studied for disaster readiness, including Y2K.

WATER AND SEWER SERVICES

The City of Charles Town's water and sewer do not depend on computers at this time. The water plant is operated manually, as is the sewer plant. The sewer plant does have a generator on site and at the main lift station. These generators are operated by propane gas.

The water plant does not have access to generators, due to the size of the pumps operating at the intake and at the plant. Each pump is 125 hp. The City does have 2.5 million gallons of storage in its five water towers. In case of fire, the City does have Evitts Run, which the local fire companies could pump from, reserving the stored water for the public's use.

The City's gasoline, for its vehicles, is supplied by a local gas station. There is no on site storage of gasoline.

EMERGENCY SERVICES - COMMUNICATIONS, FIRE, POLICE

The Charles Town Police Department, Citizens Fire Company and Independent Fire Company are tied directly by radio with Jefferson County Emergency Services. If a failure of telephone communications should occur, command posts could be initiated at any of these three locations. Citizens Fire Co. and Independent Fire Co. rely on local vendors to supply diesel and gasoline.

In the past, the City's emergency plans have correlated with the Office of Emergency Services and proved extremely efficient.

COMPUTER SYSTEMS

The City of Charles Town's office equipment has been thoroughly updated. No problems are anticipated. All are found to be Y2K compatible.

CONCLUSION

The City of Charles Town and each of its Departments feel capable of handling any disaster or emergency, including Y2K.

last updated Nov. 26, 1999
URL: http://www.intrepid.net/y2k-shepherdstown/CharlesTown.html

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