January 1, 2000

State's Public Safety Communications Network OK as Y2K Arrives

BOISE, ID - Many State of Idaho employees working the Y2K night watch on December 31 welcomed the Year 2000 with cautious optimism, and like their public service counterparts monitoring key government computer and communications systems nationwide, were both pleased and relieved to have no major disruptions to monitor.

At Department of Administration offices in the Len B. Jordan building where an Emergency Operations Center was set-up, managers checked in with communications technicians throughout the state to monitor the state's Public Safety Microwave and Radio Communications Network.

The system consists of 44 microwave locations and 76 mountain-top radio sites spanning the state in an "L" shape (1,200 airline miles) from Bonners Ferry in north Idaho neighboring Canada to as far east as Preston in southeastern Idaho near the Utah border.

"This is a significant and vital communications system that is used by our public safety officials at all levels of government," said Pam Ahrens, department director. "Its successful operations is a priority for our department at all times of the year." Departments such as Law Enforcement, Transportation, Fish and Game, and Emergency Medical Services utilize the system.

As a part of the department's Y2K Contingency Plan, coverage of the network involved Division of Information Technology and Communication Services technicians from Lewiston, Rigby, Twin Falls, Pocatello, and Coeur d'Alene. The network is over 20 years old, and is currently being upgraded to digital technology capability to meet 21st century demands.

Administration staff also monitored provision of telecommunication services in the Capitol Mall area throughout the evening and into the early hours of the New Year and assured smooth operations of its Wide Area Network, which provides Internet capability to over 200 state government agency websites.