City water and sewer service may be disrupted until backup power for the pumps is put on line. If your home uses electricity for heating, hot water, cooking, lighting, food storage and well pumps, you need to consider what alternatives you have. The American public places great faith and trust in the Coast Guard's ability to help during national disasters. We have saved many people from the effects of floods, hurricanes, earthquakes and disasters at sea. The Coast Guard is an essential component of the nation's emergency response system, so we must be there, ready to help, in the event the worst Y2K predictions come true.
Individual preparedness is a personal matter as well as a readiness issue.
We ask you to think through the implications of these issues. Please keep in mind the two competing interests for all Coast Guard members. We want to ensure our families' safety and comfort, while at the same time be available when the American public needs our assistance, as we have done countless times past. We have often left our families and homes in order to help others. Y2K may be no different.