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Show December 16, 1999 Happy New Year No major problems Information guide answers Y2K questions by Bryce Ragland "5 H7 Testing and Certification What is actually going to happen at midnight Dec. 31, 1999? When is a major earthquake going to strike the Wasatch Front? Could an F3 or greater tornado hit Hill AFB? If so, when? These are questions that no one can answer. As far as Y2K is concerned, Hill AFB representatives have done a lot of work and feel confident that it won't be a major problem either on the base or in the valley. We do however, expect some problems. It's impossible to test for everything, and something may have How will the Year 2000 computer problem affect gov-- : theBX? ; from paying service members, civilian employees and retirees. All Defense Finance and Accounting Service payroll systems are capable of accurately reading the Year ' ";; 2000 date. Banks Telecommunications " I I , The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp, says 99 percent of federally insured banks and thrifts are up to speed. The banks and credit unions on base are Y2K compliant. However, check with your bank to see if its computer systems will handle Y2K. al allows Us to be X-ra- 85 . ." : - ; ? . "- -. ; ". '. i 19 V T-?- -- - . . - 1 0. .. " " ? . . . Hale Assistant Secretary of the Air Force ' ' Financial Management and Comptroller WASHINGTON (AFPN) Lately it seems that you can't turn on the television or read a newspaper without seeing some story about possible Y2K computer problems. The Air Force has worked this issue hard and is well prepared for the year 2000. And speaking for the Air Force financial community, I can assure you that the accuracy and timeliness of your pay will not be affected byY2K. As the new millennium approaches, you may wonder whether the Y2K bug will somehow cause problems with your pay or allotments to your family or other important . , - " non-complia- nt Date change won't affect Air Forci pay F. : - " . 21 627-000- 0, r hopsgiEffrei more essential than the fire drills at school, because there is a greater chance of having a house fire than a fire at school. 4 "Family Readiness and Information Guide for the : Year20'00" brochure is available to help you know what to expect from Y2K and how to prepare. Web sites are listed that provide more detailed advice, ;; on hbw to prepare for an emergency.. t !. The brochurenotes that information. and weapons systems have been fixed or upgraded and the infra-- ' structure processors or embedded chip! have all been checked and replaced as needed: The base started addressing the Year 2000 problem in 1996, and officials are confident that the systems will continue working not only on Jan. 1, 2000, but well beyond that date. The brochure adds that there will be support from off base utility suppliers for electricity, ; water and gas. in include having a' perthe brochure Suggestions sonal contingency plan to be prepared for unforseen emergencies and disruptions. These plans are not just in case of a Y2K disruption, they are developed and maintained for any type of problem or disruption, from a power outage due to a winter storm to a major disaster such as an earth- ; quake. Personal preparedness is just a good idea. For more details, or for copies of the "Family Readiness and Information Guide to the Year 2000" brochure, call the Y2K Program Office at Ext. or by Robert " " No major disruptions in telephone service are anticipated. Telephone switches at Hill were replaced as part of an Air Force-wid- e effort and were Y2K compliant in December 1998. Telephone use is expected to be heavy on Jan. 1, and people are encouraged not to call unless it is absolutely necessary. Healthcare If you need to make a call and don't hear a dial tone, hang The Year 2000 computer bug won't affect DoD's ability up and wait several minutes before trying again. Telephone to provide quality health care to service members and their . maintenance reached by dialing 119 will be open durfamilies. All mission-critichealth care systems are ing the Y2K transition to help with any problems experiY2K compliant including the Defense Enrollment Eligi- - enced on base, bility Reporting Systems; patient administration for admis- ' These Hill AFB emergency phone numbers can be used sion, appointments and TRICARE enrollment; pharmacy; if there are problems dialing 911: Command Post, Ext. and blood products management. Biomedical equipment Energy Management Control Systems, Ext. such as CAT scan, y and dialysis machines is., or Extended Family Practice, Ext. or ; Fire compliant. Ext. Law or Enforcement Department, Personnel records or Red Cross, Dispatch Desk, Ext. Air Force personnel systems, which handle actions, , like enlistment papers, orders, training records, awards,' Y"2K problems aren't likely to affect cable system operreenlistments and changes to duty station are fixed. If a ations though some systems deliver video channels received is maintained to allow from a variety of sources and isolated channel outages ;Y2KerrjptOOTre for quick correction. ! could occur. Home Internet access won't be disrupted as -- Base exchanges 3 J long as power and phone connections remain intact. All Army and Air Force Exchange Ser vices mainframe Individual preparedness systems have been tested and certified compliant. The management experts advise treating Y2K AAFES cash register systern is fully certified and credit as you would a major winter storm and take the following card processing systems are successfully completing trans-- ; steps: :k actions with cards that have a year 2000 expiration date or : Don't panic. Panic will only result in hoarding of goods : IS and creating shortages government and industry leaders beyond. - 7 ; , are trying to prevent , 0)ihmissary-J j M v y ? Electronic payment systeifts credit and debit cards- '' Buy only what you need to get you through one or have been certified as Y2K compliant. Testing Has:- -; two weeks such as bottled water and nonperishable foods. demonstrated that the integrated product Scanning sys- - Don't wait until the last few days of December to stock up. ' tern is Y2K compliant. a Only take enough cash out of the bank to get you through r Household goods, vehicles the weekend, perhaps an extra $50-10The system used to plan, schedule, move and track house-- : Keep at least half a tank of gas in your car. hold goods movements, unaccompanied baggage and Do If possible, make sure you refill any regularly used preit Yourself moves has beencertified as capable of accu-- . scription drugs prior to the end of December. . I lave flashlights and extra batteries on hand. rately reading Year 2000 dates. Although DoD will be able to accurately track shipments, if Y2K problems occur in Examine smoke alarms now Have battery back-up- s if p the nation's transportation systems pick-uand delivwired are into a electrical home .. they system. . Maintain a separate list of emergency numbers in case ery dates may be delayed, ?; Infrastructure 911 systems are busy or temporarily out of service. ; ; ; All Hill AFB infrastructure items Be sure to have one phone available that doesn't rely including utilities, on electric power. While regular phone service can operwater, safety services and security services for buildings and personnel have been certified Y2K complaint or ate without electricity, cordless phones may not. but operationally acceptable (meaning there Have a battery-operate- d radio or television to keep curwill be no adverse affect by the use of year 2000 dates) . rent on local efforts to solve Y2K problems. Travel Some information was taken from the Department ofDefense All Federal Aviation Administration systems are certi- - "Confronting Y2K" web site. , -- mi Ncji, they want your chilprepared... dren to know what to do just in case they do have. " a fire. Do your children know what to do at home, or if they are at a friend's - i Government pay iH The Year 2000 computer problem won't prevent DoD plans, which Schools perform fire drills routinely. Why? Do they expect to have a fire? i Answers to some Y2K concerns listed here are also provided in the "Family Readiness and Information Guide for the Year 2000," prepared by the Hill Y2K Office. - go wrong. You also need:to have contingency;planS; and be prepared in the event of immwuiM mini mumm mm an emergency. Having The different extra food, water and supplies available is very pruorganizations dent. Also, training of your family members so on base have they know what to do in case of an emergency is contingency essential. fied as Y2K compliant. These include such key components as air traffic control, radar, communications, computers and weather reporting sites. Airplanes are safe as theY2Kbug doesn't affect critical components such as engines, landing gear and flight control systems. Rail travel J is less dependent on technology and all trains are expected to run on schedule. No major auto traffic problems are expected. If traffic lights do malfunction, they are expected to revert to a constant yellow or red flashing, similar to what happens during localized power outages due to a storm. ernment pay? Will you be able to call a friend or shop at been overlookedTherefore, the different organizations on base have contingency plans, which allows us to be prepared in the event that something does ' i at Hill groups. I can assure you'that all the hardware and softy ware that supports your pay is and has been tested and retested. This applies to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, which handles DoD pay, as well as to pay systems at your base and throughout the Air Force. To further ensure that your pay goes through as scheduled, key agencies have developed contingency plans. For example, you might ask what happens if some basic utility, such as electricity or communications, somewhere in that chain of systems breaks down because of the Y2K bug, or if severe weather problems add to any Y2K problems. Will you still get paid? The answer is "yes"! For each such contingency every organization that plays a role in your pay has continuity of operations plans including backup generators or electricity. The Defense Y2K-read- -- cltracfh Finance and Accounting Service also has the necessary backup pay files. In addition, all key organizations will also be staffed over the New Year's weekend to respond quickly to any situation. There will be sufficient cash available at base financial institutions, the base exchange, clubs and the commissary to accommodate your check cashing needs. Arrangements have been put in place to provide special cash to bases in the event of any unexpected disruptions. If it would make you feel better over the New Year's weekend, you could have a couple of days of extra cash in your pocket and some extra groceries on the shelf. But, as I said, you should rest assured the Air Force will continue to be able to fly, fight, win and pay its people in the year 2000 and beyond. |