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News Release
RI Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908
(401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
For Release: September 16, 2008
Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402

PHONE SYSTEM AT DEM'S FOUNDRY OFFICE HEADQUARTERS HIT BY POWER SURGE OVER WEEKEND
System Works for Incoming Calls but Does Not Allow Callers to Leave Messages

PROVIDENCE - A weekend power surge in the telephone equipment room at the Department of Environmental Management's Providence headquarters in the Foundry Building destroyed the phone system's hard drive. As a result, callers are not able to leave voicemail messages for DEM staff working in the Promenade Street building. Incoming calls to DEM staff and offices in the Foundry are getting through, although the message system is not currently operational.

Immediately after the problem was discovered, the Department brought in repair crews that subsequently determined that the hard drive for the system, which is more than 15 years old, could not be repaired. DEM is exploring various options for replacing the hard drive and getting the system up and running as soon as possible. An estimated repair date is unknown at this time.

In the meantime, DEM is advising anyone that is experiencing difficulty in reaching a DEM staff member or office to refer to the Department's website, www.dem.ri.gov, by clicking on "Contact Us" on the left side of the homepage, then "DEM Staff List" for the email addresses of staff members.

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