November 7, 2000 Norfolk's 911 system knocked out briefly

By CINDY CLAYTON B) 2000, The Virginian-Pilot

NORFOLK -- The city's 911 operations were briefly interrupted Monday morning following an internal power surge that knocked out the computer dispatching system, city officials said.

Contractors were working on the center's power supply system about 1:30 a.m., when a generator that supplies continuous power to the system malfunctioned, officials said. The malfunction sent a 300-volt surge through the center's electrical system, said Jack Goldhorn, Fire and Paramedical Services spokesman.

Dispatchers were unable to take calls for about 60 seconds, Goldhorn said. Officials do not believe any calls went unanswered because of backup systems, he said.

Some dispatchers used portable phones and radios to answer and dispatch calls. Other 911 operators from the Emergency Operations Center on Virginia Beach Boulevard were taken to Norfolk International Airport, where an emergency backup system allowed them to handle calls.

Those who went to the airport used the backup system there for about three hours, Goldhorn said.

Several of the center's surge suppressors were burned out and had to be replaced, he added.

Additional computer and electrical equipment in the building also was affected.

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-- Doris (reaper@pacifier.com), November 07, 2000