Los Angeles Prepares for Y2K

Los Angeles Mayor Richard J. Riordan and Chairman of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Don Knabe last week joined city and county leaders, private industry, non-profit agencies, and community representatives to form the Los Angeles Millennium Management Leadership Team.

The purpose of the team is to help plan and prepare government, business, and residents throughout the county for the Y2K transition. The Millennium Team, representing important areas of industry and government, will work together to identify critical services, share information, and recommend additional contingency planning toward increasing Y2K awareness across the region.

"It is important that we all prepare for Y2K," said Riordan. "Planning for Y2K provides the greater Los Angeles region the opportunity to be prepared for any potential emergency."

The Los Angeles Millennium Management Leadership Team is focused on developing recommendations for contingency planning for the Los Angeles region as a whole, assisting government and bridging governments' efforts with those in the private sector. The approach includes a countywide and neighborhood-specific awareness strategy so that individuals and businesses will be better able to help friends, co-workers, and neighbors.

"By integrating local governments' activities with the public's through this Leadership Team, we can better respond to the unique nature of this event and look to the millennium with confidence," said Knabe. "The Y2K issue gives those of us in local government a chance for sound emergency preparation and planning."

To tackle this complex issue, the team is utilizing a blueprint prepared by the Candle Corp. of Santa Monica, partners in preparedness with city and county emergency operation organizations. The blueprint outlines a step-by-step process to effectively promote community preparedness and identify current gaps in the emergency and contingency planning process. The blueprint is available to local governments at no charge by calling Candle at 310-582-4994, or on-line at http://www.TMA2000.org.

In addition to government preparedness, the Leadership Team stresses the importance of education and preparation in the population at large. Among the most commonly accepted suggestions for Y2K preparedness are:

• Ensure that you have accurate hard copies of financial and personal identification records, and have backup copies of all important computer records.
• Check with manufacturers of any essential electronic or computer equipment in your home to see if that equipment may be affected.
• Stock emergency supplies to last several days to a week for yourself and those who live with you. This includes having nonperishable food, water, and an ample supply of prescription and nonprescription medications.