A12 - The Terrace Stendard, Wednesday, December 29, 1999 a ‘\

Gov't officials hunker down in local bunker for Y2K___

IF YOU'RE going away for the holidays and won't be back until after’ New Year's, the provincial gov- ernment wants you - to know your house is in good hands. ,

The B.C. government is setting up a command centre in BC Hydro Build- ing in Terrace in prepara- tion for whatever Y2K throws its way... = -

And, whether thal’s a .

power glitch, a train de- tailment or an accident on the highway, provincial government representa- tives will there to move people, resources or mate- rial to direct emergency operations.

Governmeat spokesper- son David Belford last week the command centre will be staffed by up to 30 representatives of provin- cial agencies, including the Provincial Emergency Preparedness Program, the RCMP, the ministry of the environment, transporta- tion and highways, forest- ry, health, B.C. Hydro, Pa- cific Northern Gas and B.C. Tel.

“We'll be working to- gether as a team,” said Belford.

The command centre, has been completely stocked with dedicated phone lines and computers as well as a backup gen- erator to make sure the computers will have enough power to operate.

Belford said locals that will be in town should take normal precautions to be prepared for whatever hap- pens.

“You need to be pre- pared for the unexpected,” said Belford,

He said people will need at least three days of food and emergency sup- plies such as flashlights and batteries as well as any personal necessities.

“If yowre a diabetic or.

you require additional medication, you should have that available,” said Beiford.

But the toughest part of Y2K may be the human mischief factor where hackers and looters try to take advantage of general paranoia.

“Humanity is pretty hard to predict,” said Bel- ford. “There are any number of possibilities out there.”

Belford added people should be aware of unusual circumstances but not overreact because ul- timately, a number of un- related glitches are bound to happen.

“It may be just the way things are working at that particular time,” said Bel- ford.

So with less than a week to go before one of the largest emergency pre- paredness events ever in the Northwest, Belford is appealing for a cool-head- ed approach to the miilen- nium.

“Be calm and ready to respond to any emergen- cy,” he said. “More impor- tantly, enjoy a very pleas- ant and relaxing holiday.”

Council duo back at RD

TERRACE's reps to the Kitimat-Stikine regional district board will once again be mayor Jack Tal- stra and councillor Rich McDaniel.

The two didn’t take the appointment to the region- al governing body unchal- lenged, however,

Counciliors Olpa Power and David Hull also al- lowed their names to stand, forcing a vote of council to fill the two po- sitions,

Talstra got five voles and McDaniel got four, edging out Hull's three and Power's lwo votes.

Kitimat rep Joanne Mo- nahgan was re-elected chair of the regional dis- trict for 2000 at the board’s Dec. 10 inaugural meeting, .

i a ri ho So RB

Gas Ltd.

When the snow needs shoveling, it’s prabably a goad time ta take a look at your outdoor gas meter. Overhead icicles and freezing mn-off can create problems for the meter and the connections.

Ifyou find a build-up of snow of ice on your meter, never kick or hit the meter in an attempt to remove ; it. If you feel there is a potential problem please contact your local Pacific Northem Gas office.

Tips for a safe Meter “°° 2° 7s "en re

fo not shovel snow up . £7 Remove any icicles fram averhead , against your meter, eaves troughs.

7 Be careful when operating a ff Ensure dripping water snow blower or plow near a doesn’t splash and freeze gas meter. on meler piping.

fF Never let snow completely’ we AU inspections of natural gas cover your meter, fresh air or equipment shauld be done by exhaust vents or chimneys. qualified technicians.

Safety Tip ; . i”

Natural Gas equipment should be kept clean and free of dust, lint, newspapers, rags, sawdust and lit- ter, which not only area fire hazard, but could also block equipment air: intakes, Nothing should be stored on fuwmaces, water heaters; ar any other natural gas equipment. Air needs to circulate freely around equipment. Combustibles must be kept away fiom natural gas equipment.

Smell a Problem?

: a seoresceloroe am ccueSiaeCta Ha Fess One of the safety features of natural gas is its odour—a smell like rotien eggs. Ifyou smell natural gas POWER ON WHEELS: City of Terrace director of engineering Stew Christen- or suspect carbon monoaide call your local Pacific Northem Gas office immediately. sen has a portable generator ready to go where it's needed if the power goes CALL YOUR LOCAL OFFICE.

out because of Y2K. It would mainly be used to run sewage lift stations.

Keep your vents and meter clear for a safe and carefree winter.

_ Everything In Our Entire Inventory Will Be On Sale. Many One Only Items Floor Model Clearouts.

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WEDNEDSAY DEC 29TH - 12 NOON TIL 6 PM THURSDAY DEC. 30TH - 9 AM TILL 6 PM FRIDAY DEC. 31ST - 9 AM TILL 4 PM

4501 Lakelse Ave., Terrace, B.C.