Agenda - 05-18-1999 - 10b - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: May 18, 1999 Action Agenda Item No. /p_b SUBJECT: Orange County Y2K Implementation Plan DEPARTMENT: County Manager PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/1~ No ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: None Rod Visser, ext 2300; Pam Jones, ext 2650; Jim McGimsey, Y2K Coordinator, ext 3070 TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 968-4501 Durham 688-7331 Mebane 336-227-2031 PURPOSE: To receive a report on County preparations to deal with Year 2000 technology challenges BACKGROUND: Experts believe that many computer systems will have at least some difficulties in coping with the challenges presented when the year changes from 1999 to 2000, because of limitations in old computer programming codes. There are concerns that many computer programs and electronic devices with embedded microchips will malfunction because of an inability to correctly recognize dates of January 1, 2000 and beyond. At their Apri16, 1999 meeting, the Board approved a contract with McGladrey & Pullen, LLP, to provide assistance to County staff in assessing, correcting, and testing the County's preparedness to continue operations in light of these potential problems. The County's critical systems, as outlined below, will be repaired as needed, tested, and verified as Y2K compliant by June 21, 1999. Items that fall into the critical system category have been identified by the Y2K sub-committees who have focused on public safety, embedded chips, computer equipment and human services. These have also been confirmed with department heads. Certain critical services cannot be allowed to have a lapse in service for any period of time. The critical services, along with the required support systems have been identified as follows: Emergency Management • 9-1-1 dispatching capabilities • Telephone service, both internal and external Infrastructure services such as water, power, HVAC for the facility Emergency power supplied through an on-site emergency generator Ambulances: All on-board equipment that could include embedded chips; vehicles; and communications equipment (including mobile radios, cell phones, pagers, etc.)