Just an FYI and a question:

Franklin Frith, who was erroneously featured in Worldnet Daily as someone "hired by Michigan to help prepare local governments for the consequences of the Y2K problem" (actually Frith gives presentations to local governments and groups, but is not on the state payroll), has a new Website: www.y2kcoming.com

Now, much of what is on that site is info we've read before, but this one may be new. Frith quote:

"FEMA is currently developing an Operations Supplement to the Federal Response Plan (FRP) that describes the federal actions and operations that are needed to respond to the possible consequences of Y2K.

This supplement will address federal response operations beyond the current scope of the FRP - operations necessary to deal with the unique circumstances presented by Y2K problems. It will also cover the monitoring actions that FEMA will take prior to the millennium. The Operations Supplement is scheduled to be published by July 1, 1999."

Anyone know about the July publication of this, and whether it will be considered a confidential document?

-- FM (vidprof@aol.com), April 25, 1999

Answers

relevant snip:

We are developing a Y2K Operations Supplement to the Federal Response Plan, which will be used in case there is a need for Federal assistance. Our operations concept will be to activate monitoring operations through the critical conversion period here in Washington and in our regional operations centers, and to request information technology liaisons with access to FEMA internal and interagency sources of technology support. We may not be able to respond to requests for technology support, but we can use the Federal response system to provide a backup network to ensure that such requests from State and local governments are referred to the appropriate public/private coordination channels that have been established through the efforts of the President's Council on Y2K Conversion. We continue to hold monthly meetings with officials of the primary agencies of the Federal Response Plan to focus attention on potential needs and options. Agencies have reported that the majority of mission-critical facilities and support systems necessary to conduct Federal Response Plan operations will be functional through the Y2K conversion period. Agencies are developing work-around options for those that will not be ready by March 31, 1999. FEMA is doing all that it can, as the lead agency for the Federal Response Plan, to encourage Federal Response Plan agencies to work with their partners in the State and local emergency management and fire service communities, to promote awareness and business continuity planning for Y2K. The Y2K technology problem involves several dimensions and touches upon nearly every aspect of day-to-day business in the world. The efforts of emergency management and fire service organizations cannot be viewed as a substitute for personal responsibility and personal preparedness. Every organization and every individual, in public and private life, has an obligation to learn more about this problem and their vulnerability, so that they may take appropriate action to prevent a problem before it occurs. As elected leaders, you also play an important role in increasing public awareness and promoting personal initiative through a range of activities, such as this hearing. We in FEMA respect your concern and your commitment to this issue. At the same time, FEMA is working with the emergency management and fire services communities to raise awareness, to increase preparedness, and to stand ready to provide Federal response assistance to State and local governments, if required. We will keep you informed on our progress as the countdown to the new millenium continues.

Additional snip:

Our primary operational objective will be, in accordance with the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance (Stafford) Act, to respond to physical consequences on lives, property, and public health and safety. It is difficult to imagine a Y2K scenario that would trigger widespread physical consequences that threaten lives and property. However, a Y2K scenario could cause scattered disruptions in critical systems such as traffic control, communications, or power, which would complicate local, State and Federal efforts to provide disaster response. I am particularly concerned about rural areas in northern and western states in December and January, which is severe winter storm season.
(snip)It is difficult to determine the exact nature and extent of the threat posed by the Y2K problem. Reports in print and television media and on the Internet range from predictions of business-as-usual to some form of cyber winter. To identify and prioritize actions to take to ensure we are able to provide assistance to State and local governments, we need credible assessments from authoritative sources that describe specific vulnerabilities, areas at highest risk, and potential consequences that could lead to activation of the Federal Response Plan. We believe that the quarterly assessments published by the President's Council on Y2K Conversion are authoritative sources for information on this hazard. The Council is scheduled to release its second quarterly assessment report in mid-April. John Koskinen, Chairman of the President's Council on Y2K Conversion, attended our January meeting of all Federal Response Plan agencies, and stated that, domestically, he is most concerned about small- and medium-sized organizations (public and private), and over-reaction by the public. He re-iterated that based upon current assessment data, the basic infrastructure will work through the Y2K transition, and that nationwide catastrophic disruptions are unlikely. However, he stated that there may be requirements for Federal response in some service sectors and in some geographic areas.

The

LINK Testimony of Federal Emergency Management Agency Deputy Director Mike Walker before the Government Management, Information and Technology Subcommittee of the House Government Reform Committee on March 22, 1999

Chuck

-- chuck, a Night Driver (rienzoo@en.com), April 25, 1999.

Thanks for the link, Chuck.

Significant quotes:

"We need credible assessments from authoritative sources that describe specific vulnerabilities, areas at highest risk, and potential consequences that could lead to activation of the Federal Response Plan. We believe that the quarterly assessments published by the President's Council on Y2K Conversion are authoritative sources for information on this hazard."

And

"He re-iterated that based upon current assessment data, the basic infrastructure will work through the Y2K transition, and that nationwide catastrophic disruptions are unlikely. However, he stated that there may be requirements for Federal response in some service sectors and in some geographic areas."

(Now,. . .if we only knew which service sectors and specifically, which geographic areas.)

:)

-- FM (vidprof@aol.com), April 25, 1999.

the service centers throughout the USA

-- h (h@h.h), April 25, 1999.

FM, I have two immediate guesses on the geographic areas, although they may be connected. In the last White House report, there was mention of "six to eight" states which wouldn't be ready for Y2K. And I'd guess that there would be special attention paid to those states likely to suffer from harsh winter weather. It's possible that some states fall into both categories.

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), April 25, 1999.

Old Git,

I seem to recall reading a mention of the Northwest and North (snowbelt). . .in primarily rural areas.

Your guesses?

-- FM (vidprof@aol.com), April 25, 1999.

FM, and crew,

Just providing pointers ...

One, of many, key FEMA quotes ...

The efforts of emergency management and fire service organizations cannot be viewed as a substitute for personal responsibility and personal preparedness.

Every organization and every individual, in public and private life, has an obligation to learn more about this problem and their vulnerability, so that they may take appropriate action to prevent a problem before it occurs.

Also, for more on the FEMA end of the Federal Response Plan search at ...

http://www.fema.gov/ search/srchjs.htm

Enter search term Federal Response Plan hit the button for Search for pages containing: the exact phrase entered, and move the number of documents tab to: Get the first 100 documents. Search.

Read. (Then do it again for Y2K Federal Response Plan search terms).

See also ...

Guide for Disaster Recovery Programs: A Federal Interagency Publication Developed by Signatories to the Federal Response Plan -- Foreword ...

http://www.fema.gov/ about/2-fore.htm

After a disaster, our society is expected to be prepared to minister to the injured, maintain life-support services for the community, and assist an affected area return to normal. Local government has the primary responsibility for supplying the resources to respond to and recover from disasters. If localities are overwhelmed, they may need supplemental assistance from the applicable State and, possibly, the Federal Government.

The Federal Government helps States and localities prepare for disasters by providing financial and technical assistance for emergency planning, conducting exercises of plans, and building and maintaining an emergency management infrastructure. It also provides or subsidizes training and offers opportunities for emergency management professionals to come together to exchange ideas and information.

In the event of an actual disaster, a Governor may request a Presidential declaration. This request must satisfy the provisions of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (PL 93-288, as amended by PL 100-707). The Stafford Act is the primary legislative authority for the Federal Government to assist local and State governments in executing their responsibilities for disaster response and recovery.

In a major or catastrophic disaster, the Federal Response Plan (FRP) will likely be activated. The FRP describes resources Federal agencies can mobilize to support initial emergency live-saving functions if State and local government response capabilities are overwhelmed. It outlines planning assumptions, policies, concept of operations, and organizational structures.

The FRP is being expanded to describe Federal actions, resources, and coordination mechanisms available to assist affected individuals, businesses, and public entities recover from the consequences of a disaster. This interagency publication, Disaster Assistance: A Guide to Recovery Programs, summarizes Federal programs that provide recovery assistance.

Signatories to the Federal Response Plan

 Department of Agriculture
 Department of Commerce
 Department of Defense
 Department of Education
 Department of Energy
 Department of Health and Human Services
 Department of Housing and Urban Development
 Department of the Interior
 Department of Justice
 Department of Labor
 Department of State
 Department of Transportation
 Department of the Treasury
 Department of Veterans Affairs
 Agency for International Development
 American Red Cross
 Environmental Protection Agency
 Federal Communications Commission
 Federal Emergency Management Agency
 General Services Administration
 Interstate Commerce Commission
 National Aeronautics and Space Administration
 National Communications System
 Nuclear Regulatory Commission
 Office of Personnel Management
 Office of Science and Technology Policy
 Small Business Administration
 Tennessee Valley Authority
 U.S. Postal Service

Updated: January 14, 1998

Links to Federal Response Plan Partners

http://www.fema.gov/fema/ frp.htm

See the plan ...

FEMA: Federal Response Plan
(FOR PUBLIC LAW 93-288, AS AMENDED) April 1992 ) ...

http://www.fema.gov/fema/ fed1.htm

FEMA: Federal Response Plan Amendments as of August 1997 (several links to PDF files)

[Note: Amendments 11 a-b are about terrorism and crisis management]

http://www.fema.gov/ r-n-r/frp_amnd.htm

See also ...

Contingency and Consequence Management Planning for Year2000 Conversion
A Guide for State and Local Emergency Managers

http://www.fema.gov/y2k/ ccmp.htm

Also note ...

... Our primary operational objective will be, in accordance with the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance (Stafford) Act, to respond to physical consequences on lives, property, and public health and safety.

Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act of 1974 (PL 93-288; as amended by PL 100-707)

Provides Federal assistance to state and local government so they can alleviate suffering and damage from disasters. This act broadens existing relief programs to encourage disaster preparedness plans and programs, coordination and responsiveness, insurance coverage, and hazard mitigation measures.

http://www.usbr.gov/ laws/stafford.html

(Links to full-text law database at Cornell University)

Also ...

Just another little note from a FEMA speech At The Jane's Information Group Conference "Countering Chemical And Biological Weapons: Government Programs, Industry Opportunities" ...

http://www.fema.gov/ pte/gosspch18.htm

Following the Oklahoma City bombing, President Clinton gave FEMA certain responsibilities with his Presidential Decision Directive 39 (unclassified abstract). Under PDD 39, ...

 "FEMA, supported by all Federal Response Plan signatories, will assume the Lead Agency role for consequence management in Washington, D.C., and on scene."

 "The Director, FEMA, will ensure that the Federal Response Plan is adequate for consequence management activities in response to terrorist attacks against large U.S. populations, including those where weapons of mass destruction are involved."

 "FEMA will also ensure that State response plans and capabilities are adequate and tested."

[Another Note: This adds up to a lot of weekend report reading. Just providing pointers now, not comments]

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), April 27, 1999.