Reservation community assured of Y2K compliancy

Scott Csernyik

12/12/1999 12:00:00 AM

Information Technology officials are assuring the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe's operations-including the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort-are Y2K compliant.

These actions also include the development of a contingency plan in case Tribal members are faced with an emergency because of technological failure.

"We're trying to ensure that all systems at the casino and resort are operational," stated IT Director Dawn Casey. "We're confident things are going to work that night. We've been testing and verifying the equipment as much as we can."

The two areas the Y2K team have addressed includes computer systems-including all computer applications that run the Tribe's operations. They are also concerned about embedded systems, or devices which have a microchip. These devices can include televisions, video cassette recorders, medical equipment, motor vehicles, cellular phones and microwaves.

"These embedded systems are in anything that has a clock or electronic brain of some sort," Casey explained. "Our biggest concern with Tribal members is losing heat. There is an embedded system within their thermostats. That's our biggest fear."

Besides the casino and resort, other Tribal areas which meet compliance for the new year include the Nimkee Memorial Wellness Center, Tribal Public Safety Building, as well as the Saginaw Chippewa Wastewater Treatment Plant.

"There's a lot out there regulated by software and these are the areas we are the most concerned about."

In the event of adversity, The Emergency Response Team will coordinate the Tribal gymnasium, Saginaw Chippewa Academy Binoojiinh Montessori on Broadway and the Tribal Public Safety Building for use as "shelters" during this time frame.

"At this time, the Tribal community knows we are as compliant as we can possibly be," said Risk Management Safety Manager David Chatfield. "The good side of this Y2K planning is that is has forced us to develop contigency plans in case of an emergency."

Between now and the New Year, Y2K team officials suggest that consumers check with the various manufacturers to see if their products are compliant.

"Get the make, model and serial number of the equipment in question," Chatfield explained. "Check with the manufacturer by phone or on the Internet. A lot of these companies already have this information on their websites."

Alarm systems dependent on a central dispatch system should also be checked with the particular vendor, added Chatfield.

Casey also warns community members to be wary of Y2K scams and to avoid taking a "Chicken Little" approach to the upcoming millennium.

"It's not panic time," she said. "The world's not coming to an end. With all of the research we've conducted, we are only expecting minimal disruptions."

Chatfield said it's a good idea to have extra food and water on hand in the advent of power outages.

"We're used to being without power during the winter in Michigan," he explained. "Having extra batteries and fuel at this time of year is not a new revelation."

They also suggest consumers to have recent bank statements, rather than withdraw all funds from their accounts.

"This will help ease worry," Casey explained.

With 24 time zones covering the world, U.S. citizens will already have a good idea what is happening before the midnight strikes.

"Unfortunately, we're the first time zone in the United States that will be hit," she added.

According to information from NBC's website, Washington officials have made arrangements with the governments of Australia and New Zealand for early reads on how Y2K is affecting them. Because of time differences, Australia, New Zealand and Guam will all celebrate New Year's early Friday on Dec. 31, Washington time.

The New Zealand city of Auckland will be 18 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time, while the Australian capital of Canberra and Guam are 15 hours ahead. This means the Year 2000 will arrive in New Zealand at 6 a.m. on Dec. 31, Washington time, and in Australia and Guam at 9 a.m.

Besides having to contend with the alcohol-related festivities associated with New Year's Eve, Tribal police officials are already planning on beefing up patrols for possible Y2K-associated problems.

"We're going to have extra officers on duty," stated Lt. Joe Kequom. "We want to ensure the safety of the Saginaw Chippewa community."