Geo-World Home
Seismology Home
Plate Tectonics
Earthquake!
»San Francisco Earthquake
Teachers
Background
Nothing caught the drama and confusion which initially followed the earthquake better than the 9-1-1 dispatch recordings (the equivalent of a 999 operator in the UK). The Hall of Justice, at 850 Bryant St., sits on the edge of Marina-like Bay fill. The shaking was so terrible that some dispatchers fled, and others became ill. Damage to the building was significant enough that some felt that the dispatch center must be evacuated.
The Earthquake that occurred on October 17th 1989,which measured 7.1 on the Richter Scale, caused $3 billion worth of damage and 62 deaths. The earthquake knocked out power to San Francisco, and the city was dark for the first time since the 1906 Earthquake and Fire. Power was fully restored by October 20. Emergency telephone service became sporadic because a fire broke out in the 9-1-1 telephone equipment room, and citizens had to rely on fire alarm boxes for three days for emergency protection from fire. In addition to the 62 deaths, there were 3757 injurues and 12,000 people were made homeless.
Click here to listen to a five minute selection of the 9-1-1 recording of the and answer the questions below:
Q: What did the dispatcher mean when she said: "Here comes another one?"
Q: How did the caller's sound when they rang?
Q: What were people afraid of happening in the flooded building?
Q: Where were the Fire Department?
Q: What impact did this have on other emergencies?
Q: What happened when the Dispatcher tried to ring the hospital?
Q: What did she suggest that the caller do?
Q: Why was the final caller upset?
A jesharpe design and presentation