Oct. 13th
Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce
Report to Citizens


JEFFERSON COUNTY EMERGENCY
PREPAREDNESS COMMITTEE
BUSINESS REPORT FOR PUBLIC MEETING
OCTOBER 13,1999
7:00P.M.
WRIGHT DENNY INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL
AUDITORIUM

Y2K PREPAREDNESS RESPONSES

In our September Chamber news bulletin, we asked our members to answer 5 questions, in survey form, pertaining to Y2K preparations. Although a large number of our members did not respond, we did hear from a variety of businesses. Based on the responses we received along with the information we have gleaned from brochures included in business mailings, I believe it is safe to say that Jefferson County businesses have taken the dawning of year 2000 seriously and have made necessary preparations.

The questions along with a summarization of their answers:

  1. Has your business completed a Y2K assessment, remediation, and testing of your business-critical computer applications? If not yet completed, when do you expect final testing will be accomplished?
     
    All, except one, responded "yes". The one exception noted that most departments had completed the assessments as of early September; the remaining department would be completed by September 30.

    2.  
  2. For those suppliers where you have key dependencies for material or other services, have you received written assurances that they will be Y2K ready as well?
     
    Again, except for two who stated the question was not applicable, everyone noted they had received written assurances and were continuing to monitor key service companies.

    3.  
  3. Since it is unlikely that everyone will "bat 1.000", please describe the contingency plan you have put in place to help ensure your business will continue if there is a natural disaster or Y2K disruption. Will you be able to continue operating your business if, though unlikely, there are disruptions of several days or more in electric power and/or telecommunications?
     
    This question is a little more difficult to answer with one answer for the majority as each business has different needs and services. All indicate that they have contingency plans; some with services available on a limited basis if power and communications are disrupted for any period of time. Several provided the actual plan. Some have indicated the business will open only if there is electricity, while others indicate critical business requirements will continue to be handled. There is also strong indication of hard copy backups for records. One business, because of its complete dependency on power and telecommunications, has said it cannot operate.

    4.  
  4. Have you, or do you, plan to hold employee meetings this fall to discuss your company's state of preparedness and contingency plans, as well as suggestions that they might consider for family and neighborhood preparedness? (Note: The Jefferson County Emergency Preparedness Committee will be glad to help with such meetings.)
     
    This question was answered yes by exactly half of those who responded. Primarily larger employers gave the affirmative answer.

    5.  
  5. What suggestions do you have for either our Chamber or the Jefferson County Emergency Preparedness Committee to improve preparedness for any emergency?
     
    There were few responses to this; however, those who did respond gave some very good advice:
    1. Keep copies of bank records and receipts.
    2. If power is off, bring your account number with you to the bank because it will be needed to locate your account.
    3. Remember the individual needs of your friends and neighbors, particularly the elderly living alone and poverty-stricken families. They may not be in a position to get necessities such as groceries, medications, and heat.
    4. Project and maintain a positive attitude as you would with any other emergency.

    Although it was optional for businesses to give their names, of those who did, the following are represented in this report: banking, communications, farming, insurance, manufacturing, real estate, retail sales, and services.

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