Public utilities also appear prepared. The Florida Public Service Commission, which regulates telecommunications, water and sewer companies and electric utilities, indicates that most major utilities already are compliant. Though confident that no critical services will be interrupted, Brogan urged Floridians to take a few precautions like having some cash on hand, stocking up on a few groceries and topping off gas tanks prior to the New Year's holiday. That just makes good common sense. State officials stressed that putting an agency on the non-compliance list could be a little misleading, because local agency heads are working feverishly to bring their systems into compliance.
Collier County is a case in point.
On July 22, the Sheriff's Office estimated that 66 percent of its computer systems were compliant. Storrar says that number is closer to 75 percent now. The Sheriff's Office is training staff on the new software, which when fully operational will give dispatchers an ability to more accurately coordinate services. While dispatchers are brought up to speed on the new system, the old dispatch network will continue to be used. The department will run the systems simultaneously for a month or more to make sure dispatch capabilities aren't hindered.