Interesting e came around leading to this series of links.

Contingency plans... are a good thing.

Diane

[From The US Office Of Personnel Management]

http://www.opm.gov/oca/compmemo/1999/dismissal.htm

Attachment 1 to OPM Director's Memorandum

WASHINGTON, DC, AREA EMERGENCY DISMISSAL OR CLOSURE PROCEDURES

Introduction
Possible Y2K Work Disrputions
OPM's Responsibilities
Agencies' Responsibilities
Emergencies Before the Workday Begins
Emergencies During Normal Work Hours

The following guidelines apply to situations that prevent significant numbers of employees in the Washington, DC, area from reporting for work on time or which require agencies to close all or part of their activities, including adverse weather conditions (snow emergencies, severe icing conditions, floods, earthquakes, and hurricanes), air pollution, disruption of power and/or water, interruption of public transportation, possible Year 2000 (Y2K) work disruptions, and other emergency situations.

These procedures apply to all executive agencies (except the U.S. Postal Service) inside the Washington Capital Beltway. Facilities outside the Beltway may prefer to develop their own plans, since they are subject to different emergency and traffic conditions than those inside the Beltway. In unusual situations, however, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) may issue guidelines affecting facilities outside the Beltway, as well.

It is essential that Federal agencies in the metropolitan area comply with this area-wide plan and the announced decisions on dismissal or closure. Agencies should avoid independent action because any change in the work hours of Federal workers in the Washington, DC, area requires careful coordination with municipal and regional officials to minimize disruption of the highway and transit systems.

Agencies that find it necessary to exclude certain offices or activities from this plan should notify OPM of such exemptions and update such notices when necessary. Application of this guidance must be consistent with the provisions of applicable collective bargaining agreements or other controlling policies, authorities, and instructions.

Possible Y2K Work Disruptions

In the event of major unanticipated Y2K work disruptions affecting large numbers of Federal agencies and employees on an area-wide basis, OPM will use the emergency dismissal or closure procedures for the Washington, DC, area as the basis for announcing an area-wide policy on emergency dismissal or closure of Federal activities. In the event of isolated Y2K work disruptions affecting an individual agency or component of an agency, or a particular office building or small geographic area within the Washington, DC, area, the head of each agency (or an appropriate designee) is authorized to use his or her discretionary authority to excuse employees not designated as "emergency employees" from duty. The procedures for communicating such decisions to affected employees must be established well in advance of January 1, 2000.

[snip]

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), November 23, 1999

Answers

October 4, 1999

MEMORANDUM FOR HEADS OF EXECUTIVE
DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES

FROM:
JANICE R. LACHANCE
DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:
Emergency Dismissal or Closure Procedures
for Adverse Weather Conditions, Possible
Y2K Work Disruptions, and Other
Emergency Situations

http:// www.opm.gov/oca/compmemo/1999/99weather.htm

Each year, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issues "emergency dismissal or closure procedures" for agencies and employees in the Washington, DC, area. These procedures, which are designed to apply not just in adverse weather conditions, but in all kinds of emergency situations, were developed over a period of many years in consultation with the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. This year, in consultation with the President's Council on Year 2000 Conversion, OPM has revised the emergency dismissal or closure procedures specifically to apply in the event of possible work disruptions associated with unanticipated Year 2000 (Y2K) computer conversion problems in January 2000. As in the past, the attached procedures are based on the principle that the business of the Federal Government is vital to serving the public everywhere.

The attached procedures will apply in any situation that prevents significant numbers of employees in the Washington, DC, area from reporting for work on time or which requires agencies to close all or part of their activities, including adverse weather conditions (snow emergencies, severe icing conditions, floods, earthquakes, and hurricanes), air pollution, disruption of power and/or water, interruption of public transportation, possible Y2K work disruptions, and other emergency situations. Similar emergency dismissal or closure procedures have been established by Federal Executive Boards (FEBs) and Federal Executive Associations (FEAs) in other major metropolitan areas. As explained in greater detail below, OPM and the President's Council on Year 2000 Conversion strongly urge FEBs, FEAs, and all Federal agencies to revise any existing emergency dismissal or closure procedures that may be applicable to agencies and employees located outside the Washington, DC, area-or to establish new procedures, if appropriate-consistent with the procedures that are applicable in the Washington, DC, area.

Possible Y2K Work Disruptions

We believe the Federal Government will be ready for the next millennium, and we are confident that Federal agencies have taken the necessary steps to avoid major disruptions in Federal computer systems. However, we recognize that disruptions resulting from non-Federal system problems are possible, particularly in the case of Federal installations located in isolated areas or outside the United States.

Major unanticipated Y2K work disruptions in the Washington, DC, area.

In the event of major unanticipated Y2K work disruptions affecting large numbers of Federal employees in the Washington, DC, area, OPM will use the attached emergency dismissal or closure procedures as the basis for announcing an area-wide policy on emergency dismissal or closure. We ask Federal agencies located in the Washington, DC, area to comply with the attached procedures and any announcements made by OPM in order to ensure consistent treatment of employees in similar circumstances. Independent action by agencies should be avoided in the event of area-wide work disruptions because any changes in the working hours of Federal employees in this areamust be coordinated carefully with municipal and regional officials in order to minimize disruption of the highway and mass transit systems.

Isolated Y2K work disruptions in the Washington, DC, area.

In the event of isolated Y2K work disruptions affecting an individual agency or component of an agency, or a particular office building or small geographic area within the Washington, DC, area, the head of each agency (or an appropriate designee) is authorized to use his or her discretionary authority to excuse from duty employees not designated as "emergency employees" for Y2K purposes. The procedures for communicating such decisions to affected employees must be established well in advance of January 1, 2000.

Y2K work disruptions outside the Washington, DC, area.

Emergency dismissal or closure procedures similar to those for the Washington, DC, area have been established by FEBs or FEAs in other major metropolitan areas within the United States and should be followed in the event of major area-wide interruptions of essential services in those areas. We ask all FEBs and FEAs to revise any already existing procedures or to establish new procedures consistent with the attached procedures specifically to address possible Y2K work disruptions. Outside major U.S. metropolitan areas, individual Federal agencies also should establish emergency dismissal or closure procedures and communicate those procedures to affected employees well in advance of January 1, 2000. The attached procedures may serve as a model for this purpose.

Y2K work disruptions outside the United States.

The Department of State has developed emergency dismissal or closure procedures for civilian Federal employees stationed outside the United States. The Chief of Mission is authorized to excuse civilian employees from duty or to close Federal installations to civilian employees in emergency situations. Such determinations will be made on a case-by-case basis by the Chief of Mission.

Designating "Emergency Employees"

Agencies are responsible for identifying "emergency employees" and notifying them in writing that they are designated as "emergency employees." The term "emergency employee" is used to designate those employees who must report for work in emergency situations. It is vitally important that agencies designate which employees are "emergency employees" for the purpose of possible Y2K work disruptions, and which employees are "emergency employees" for the purpose of adverse weather conditions and other emergency situations. Employees designated as "emergency employees" for the purpose of possible Y2K work disruptions typically will include those on the agency's "business recovery team" or "day 1 team."

Communication with Agencies

OPM will use the attached emergency dismissal or closure procedures for any disruptions caused by adverse weather conditions, Y2K disruptions, or other emergency situations in the Washington, DC, area. Announcements of the current weather status and/or the status of Government operations in the event of Y2K disruptions or other emergencies will be available on OPM's home page. Recorded messages on operating status also will be provided by OPM's Office of Communications on (202) 606-1900.

OPM has established backup systems for communicating with agency personnel directors if normal fax, phone, and email systems are disrupted in the Washington, DC, area. A memorandum providing instructions for using the backup systems will be provided to agencies later this year.

For More Information

A copy of the newly revised "Emergency Dismissal or Closure Procedures for the Washington, DC, Area" may be downloaded from OPM's web site at

http:// www.opm/oca/compmemo/html/dismissal.htm.

For further information about the attached emergency dismissal or closure procedures, please contact OPM's Office of Compensation Administration on (202) 606-2858 or by FAX on (202) 606-0824 or email at payleave@opm.gov. For further information about the closing of Federal activities in the Washington, DC, area, please contact Jon- Christopher Bua, Director, Office of Communications, at (202) 606- 2402. Additional information about other OPM Y2K initiatives can be found on OPM's web site at

http://opm.gov/y2k.

Attachment

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), November 23, 1999.

Next Memo...

http:// www.usdoj.gov/jmd/ps/emergency.htm

U.S. Department of Justice
Washington, D.C. 20530

November 9, 1999

MEMORANDUM FOR BUREAU PERSONNEL OFFICERS

FROM:
Joanne W. Simms
Director, Personnel Staff
Justice Management Division

SUBJECT: Updated Emergency Dismissal or Closure Procedures

This provides the attached memorandum from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) covering emergency dismissal or closure procedures for agencies and employees in the Washington, DC, area. These procedures apply to all kinds of emergency conditions, including adverse weather conditions. This year, they also will apply in the event of possible work disruptions associated with unanticipated Year 2000 (Y2K) computer conversion problems in January 2000.

The attached procedures will apply to all executive agencies located inside the Washington Capital Beltway. Facilities located outside the Beltway may prefer to develop their own plans, since they will encounter different emergency and traffic conditions. For other metropolitan areas in the United States, Federal Executive Boards (FEBs) and Federal Executive Associations (FEAs) have established similar emergency dismissal or closure procedures. OPM asks all federal agencies in the Washington, DC, area to comply with these procedures and any announcements made by OPM, and to avoid taking independent action. Therefore, the Department will comply with the OPM procedures.

OPM reminds agencies that they are responsible for identifying emergency employees who must report for work in emergency situations. Employees designated as emergency employees must be notified in writing of their designation. OPM stresses the importance of designating which employees are emergency employees for the purpose of possible Y2K disruptions, and which employees are emergency employees for the purpose of adverse weather conditions or other emergency situations. Please ensure that all emergency employees in your organization have received written notice of their designation as soon as possible to avoid possible misunderstandings or confusion later.

In extending the emergency dismissal or closure procedures to Y2K work disruptions, OPM expresses confidence in the ability of the Federal government to be ready for the advent of Y2K. However, OPM recognizes that disruptions resulting from non-Federal system problems may occur. In the event of major unanticipated disruptions in the Washington, DC, area which affect large numbers of Federal employees, OPM will use the attached procedures as the basis for area-wide announcements regarding emergency closure or dismissal. If an isolated Y2K disruption occurs, affecting an agency or an individual component of an agency in the Washington, DC, area, the agency head (or appropriate designee) is authorized to use his or her discretionary authority to excuse from duty those employees who are not emergency employees for Y2K purposes. Y2K work disruptions which affect Federal employees working outside of the Washington, DC, area should be handled in accordance with the procedures established by the FEB or FEA for that area. Finally, emergency dismissal or closures due to Y2K work disruptions which occur in areas outside the United States will follow emergency procedures the Department of State has developed. Civilian Federal employees stationed outside the United States who face Y2K related emergencies will be notified of the appropriate procedures by the Chief of Mission.

In the Department, component heads will exercise their delegated responsibility to excuse employees from duty in the event of Y2K disruptions affecting only employees within their component. If Y2K disruptions occur which affect Department employees on a more widespread basis, the Attorney General will decide whether to excuse employees from duty, or the OPM procedures will be followed, depending on the extent of the disruption.

Please ensure that members of your staff are aware of the OPM procedures and notify employees. Questions you or your staff may have regarding these matters should be directed to Margaret Foskey, of the Personnel Staffs Policy Group, on (202) 514-6778. Individual employees who have questions concerning these matters should be referred to their servicing personnel office for assistance.

Attachment

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), November 23, 1999.

Finally, take a look at thread...

New Year's Fete No Fun For Washington D.C. CIOs (Federal Computer Week)

http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id= 001q4W

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), November 23, 1999.

That last paragraph says it all. Sure alot of CYA,and " we sent out notices" to the effect you should'a known.

-- kevin (innxxs@yahoo.com), November 23, 1999.

Thanks, Diane. Will take some time to digest.

-- Spidey (in@jam.burp), November 23, 1999.

I'm sure glad I heard President Clinton say the only problems coming from the Y2K issue will be a few small businesses. Otherwise, these memos might make me a little nervous.

Maybe these guys missed that briefing by their "boss".

-- LindaO. (nowhere@nowhere.com), November 23, 1999.

PLEASE DELETE:

Diane's just being inflammatory. She's also trying to scare everybody. And she's being controversial.

ALK

Sorry, Diane; I've become quite attached to you over the last 23 months. But I'm getting sick of your censorship. Censor yourself too.

-- Al K. Lloyd (all@ready.now), November 23, 1999.

Dang Diane, you've been busy! Thank you.

You know if TSHTF the parties might be canned. Could still mean Gridlock though.

Just heard this morning that alot of S.F. top o' the line Resturants are closing their doors for the Big NIght? Seems kind of odd when other places are reserving spaces @ $250.00 a plate for millennium dining experiences.

-- partyon (karlacalif@aol.com), November 23, 1999.

Al:

Stick it where the sun doesn't shine. If you don't like it, leave. Simple as that. So you like the spamming? Then why don't you go to debonkers with your no-life pals and whine over there with Pro, YouKnowWho and the other attention-seeking flamers.

-- Z (Z@Z.com), November 23, 1999.

Velly vewwy interesting. How well have they drilled this?

-- Ashton & Leska in Cascadia (allaha@earthlink.net), November 23, 1999.