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Santa Cruz County 9-1-1 Recording Transcription, Oct. 17, 1989

Beginning at 5:04 p.m.
Transcribed by the San Francisco Earthquake Research Project
November 1990

Dispatcher: Emergency Center.

Caller: Yea, this is Nob Hill Foods, Capitola, 809, we have an emergency down here, we’ve been hit by a large earthquake –

Dispatcher: [Interrupting] I know that! What is the emergency – what–

Caller: [Interrupting] One of our – one of our checkers was struck!

Dispatcher: Okay, so, you’re 809 Bay Avenue – okay – and what do you mean "she was struck."

Caller: She was struck, she has a –

Dispatcher: [Interrupting] Did something fall on her?

Caller: Yes.

Dispatcher: Okay, so she’s inside Nob Hill Market?

Caller: She’s – someone’s watching her, and we’ve got her out in the parking lot.

Dispatcher: She’s in the parking lot of Nob Hill, okay. So this –

Caller: [caller begins to interrupt.)

Dispatcher: Wait a minute now, I’m going to ask you a few more questions, okay. So, did – ya’ know what – what – ah – fell on her?

Caller: [turning from telephone] Go ask Robin what fell on her! I’ve got – I’ve got an ambulance! –

Dispatcher: Okay, ma’am, I need –

Caller: [still talking to other person] – go ask her!

Dispatcher: Okay, I’m going to ask you a few more questions, okay? Do you know the reason I’m going to ask you, okay? I need to know what hit her, like if she’s bleeding, if she’s unconscious, Okay?

Caller: She was pushed down –

Dispatcher: [Interrupting] Okay –

Caller: – and she’s – it looks like she’s got blood on her a –

Dispatcher: [Interrupting] Okay, so she’s bleeding?

Caller: Yes.

Dispatcher: Okay.

Caller: Okay, and a – we –

Dispatcher: [Interrupting] Okay.

Caller: – might have other casualties, I don’t know.

Dispatcher: Okay, we’re gonna send some help out. What’s your ’phone number?

Caller: [speaking rapidly] 476-5600 – I’m outside on the pay ’phone, all the ’phones are down inside!

Dispatcher: Okay, so you’re not with her, right? About how old is she?

Caller: Twenty-eight.

Dispatcher: Twenty-eight, okay. She conscious and breathing?

Caller: Yes, she’s a little – she doesn’t look too good though.

Dispatcher: Okay, we’re sending help right out, okay?

Caller: Thank you, ’bye.

Dispatcher: ’Bye.


Dispatcher: Fire Alarm.

Caller: Are you taking any calls including fire alarms?

Dispatcher: Fire alarms? Put ’em on hold. Hold on. [places caller on hold and does not return.]


Dispatcher: Emergency Center, what are you reporting?

Caller: Yes, a gas leak.

Dispatcher: Where?

Caller: Over at 105 Walti in Santa Cruz.

Dispatcher: How do you spell the name of the street?

Caller: W-A-L-T-I.

Dispatcher: Hold on a second. [places caller on hold.]

Dispatcher: [Returns] Okay, is this from a house?

Caller: Yea! – Yea, we just walked out in the street, and we walked outside after this thing –

Dispatcher: [Interrupting] Okay, what’s you’re last name?

Caller: It’s Ledbetter, L-E-D-B-E-T-T-E-R. Here it comes, an aftershock!

Dispatcher: Okay,

Caller: Okay, I’m going outside!

Dispatcher: What’s your telephone number, sir?

Caller: [rapidly] Uh, 459-0637!

Dispatcher: 0637. Help’s on the way! ’Bye-bye.


Dispatcher: Emergency Center. What are you reporting?

Caller: Ah, we got a girl here with a real bad asthma attack here at Sears –

Dispatcher: [Interrupting] What address, sir?

Caller: Ah, 5041 Capitola Boulevard.

Dispatcher: 5041 what?

Caller: Hang on a second. [Turning from telephone] Dolores! 5041, right?

Dispatcher: What –

Caller [To Dolores] What’s the address? [voice in background. "No, 4015"] 4015 Capitola Boulevard.

Dispatcher: 4015 Cap –

Caller: Right, the Sears in Santa Cruz!

Dispatcher: Okay, where in Sears?

Caller: It’s in the general office. Just come to the front of the building, someone will take you there!

Dispatcher: Sears office?

Caller: Yes, Sears general office –

Dispatcher: [Interrupting] How old is she, sir?

Caller: Ah, she’s, ah, early – early 20s – late teens –

Dispatcher: [Interrupting] Is she still conscious?

Caller: She’s still conscious; it seems like a real severe asthma attack.

Dispatcher: Okay – um – your ’phone number please?

Caller: ’Phone number – I’ve got a pay ’phone, our ’phones are out. Pay ’phone number is – ah, 475-9899.

Dispatcher: 9899?

Caller: Yea.

Dispatcher: Okay, helps on the away.

Caller: ’Bye-bye!


Dispatcher: Emergency Center. What are you reporting?

Caller: Yea, we have a woman that’s hurt at the bowlin’ alley in Watsonville – got a cut above the head, on the eye.

Dispatcher; What’s your address there, sir?

Caller: [turning away from telephone] What’s the address here? [Sound of earthquake aftershock.] We gotta go! I gotta go! We’re having an earthquake again!

Dispatcher: The bowling alley?

Caller: Yea! In Watsonville – Cabrillo Lanes!

Dispatcher: Cabrillo Lanes?

Caller: Yea! – [sound of heavy breathing.]

Dispatcher: You don’t know the address there, sir?

Caller: [turning away from telephone] Terry, do you know the address here? [voice in background “Ah, 580 Arthur Road.”]

Caller: 580 Arthur Road!

Dispatcher: 580 Arthur?

Caller: Yea, this place is coming down! We gotta get outa here!

Dispatcher: Okay, help’s on the way!

Caller: ’Bye-bye.

Dispatcher: ’Bye-bye.


Dispatcher: Emergency Center, what are you reporting?

Caller: Earthquake!

Dispatcher: Ma’am, I know about the earthquake, do ya’ have an emergency?

Caller: Yes, a whole house fell down right across the street!

Dispatcher: Okay, is anybody trapped in the house?

Caller: We can’t find – there’s some people yelling across the street –

Dispatcher: [Interrupting] What’s the address?

Caller: 10495 Redwood Drive in Lompico!

Dispatcher: 10495 Redwood in Lompico?

Caller: That’s correct– I – uh, it’s coming back! We got to get under! – [Noise of earthquake aftershock.]

Dispatcher: Okay, it’s – the house has collapsed?

Caller: Yea, it fell over. It’s a big house!

Dispatcher: Okay, what’s your address, ma’am?

Caller: 10495.

Dispatcher: So, it’s across from you?

Caller: It’s across from me.

Dispatcher: Okay, your ’phone number please, ma’am?

Caller: [indistinct] 5-4341!

Dispatcher: 4341?

Caller: That’s correct. We’re not gonna be –

Dispatcher: [Interrupting] Okay, your last name please, ma’am?

Caller: Rominas [sp?].

Dispatcher: Okay. Go ahead and get out of the house. If you find that anybody is inside that house give me a call, Okay?

Caller: Okay, Thank you!

Dispatcher: ’Bye-bye


Dispatcher: Emergency Center.

Caller: Hi, this is Valley Convalescent –

Dispatcher: [Interrupting] Yes?

Caller: – just calling to say we have a lot of damage, but –

Dispatcher: [Interrupting] Okay, okay, ma’am?

Caller: Yes?

Dispatcher: Do you need – does anybody need medical attention?

Caller: Not that I’m aware of at the moment. I –

Dispatcher: [Interrupting] Hold on a second – okay, so you don’t need any medical attention?

Caller: I – I don’t believe so –

Dispatcher: [Interrupting] Okay, then you’re gonna have to – if you need medical attention or something like that, call back, okay?

Caller: Alright.

Dispatcher: ’Bye.


Dispatcher: Emergency Center.

Caller: Ah –

Dispatcher: Emergency Center!

Caller: Yea, I’m –

Dispatcher: [Interrupting] I need to know – I know there’s been an earthquake. Do you need help?

Caller: No.

Dispatcher: Okay, I’m going to hang up.

[Disconnect]


Dispatcher: Emergency Center

Caller: Yes, we’ve got some gas coming out of the pipeline –

Dispatcher: [Interrupting] Gas coming out of the pipeline –

Caller: Yes, at –

Dispatcher: [Interrupting caller] What’s the address?

Caller: – 124 Maple – Huh?

Dispatcher: Okay, listen to me, Okay? I’m going to send you some help.

Caller: Okay.

Dispatcher: Okay? Is this a gas line that leads to your house, or what?

Caller: Ah, it’s on to another house.

Dispatcher: Okay, from house to house?

Caller: Yea!

Dispatcher: Okay, and this is in Watsonville?

Caller: Yes.

Dispatcher: Okay, your ’phone number.

Caller: It’s ah, 7 – it’s – it’s 761- thirty two -

Dispatcher: [Interrupting] It’s 761 what?

Caller: 761 –

Dispatcher: [Interrupting] What?

Caller: – Thirty-two sixty-one.

Dispatcher: Thirty-two sixty-one. What’s your name?

Caller: Ah, George Acosta.

Dispatcher: George, okay, and it’s 124 Maple Street in Watsonville?

Caller: Yea.

Dispatcher: Okay.

Caller: Okay.

Dispatcher: I’m going to send some help out there.

Caller: Alright-ee.

Dispatcher: ’Bye.

Caller: ’Bye.


Dispatcher: Emergency Center. What are you reporting?

Caller: Um, yes, we need the gas shut off in Felton Grove. We have a whole bunch of leaks. There’s gas everywhere – smelling!

Dispatcher: Gas leaks?

Caller: Yes! From the earthquake!

Dispatcher: Okay, hold on a second so I can get your address, okay?

Caller: Okay.

Dispatcher: It’ll be one second.

Caller: [Heavy breathing.]

(“What was that?” is heard, and other panic sounds in background at dispatch center during aftershock.]

Dispatcher: Okay, what is your address there?

Caller: 266 Circle Drive.

Dispatcher: 6-6 what?

Caller: No, 2 – I mean – ah – 2.

Dispatcher: Okay, 2 what?

Caller: 6-6 Circle Drive, and it’s in – in Felton, it’s in the Felton Grove.

Dispatcher: In Felton Grove?

Caller: Yea.

Dispatcher: It’s a house there?

Caller: Yea, it’s right on the corner, and our neighbor said the gas line broke!

Dispatcher: Okay. What is your last name, please?

Caller: My name is Wilson, ah, but anything you –

Dispatcher: [Interrupting] Okay, ma’am, let me get the fire department on the way, okay? Hang up –

Caller: [Interrupting] Okay –

Dispatcher: – and evacuate your building now. Goodbye.

Caller: ’Bye!


Dispatcher 1: Radio!

Dispatcher 2: Hi.

Dispatcher 1: Hi.

Dispatcher 2: You guy’s have anybody available?

Dispatcher 1: Available for what?

Dispatcher 2: [Pause] Um, we have somebody trapped – trapped in, um, Coffee Roasting Company at 1547 Pacific.

Dispatcher 1: 1547 Pacific.

Dispatcher 2. Yes.

Dispatcher 1: What do you mean by “trapped?”

Dispatcher 2: Hold on a minute. [Interrupted by dispatcher 3.]

Dispatcher 3: The building came down – I guess there’s some rubble – building kinda’ collapsed.

Dispatcher 1: Okay, I’ll show you with a rescue.

Dispatcher 3: Yea –

Dispatcher 1: [Interrupting] Okay!

Dispatcher 3: – we need a Code 3 ambulance also – [turning away from telephone] – where? [turning back to telephone] Ford’s Department Store, 1101 Pacific.

Dispatcher 1: For what reason?

Dispatcher 3: I don’t know yet.

Dispatcher 1: Okay. What – what on Pacific?

Dispatcher 3: –1101 Pacific. Ford’s – Code 3 ambulance. Also Code 3 fire and ambulance to the Coffee Roasting Company –

Dispatcher 1: [interrupting] Okay.

Dispatcher 3 – 1549 Pacific –

Dispatcher 1: Okay, okay.

Dispatcher 3: ’Bye.


Dispatcher: Emergency Center

Caller: Yes, what are we supposed to do with this earthquake?

Dispatcher: I’m sorry – what? – do you – okay – is this an emergency? Do you need medical attention?

Caller: No, no!

Dispatcher: Okay, is anything leaking? – gas leaks, or anything like that?

Caller: Um, I’m not sure –

Dispatcher: [Interrupts] Okay, ma’am, I can’t stay on the line unless you need help right now.

Caller: Oh! –

Dispatcher: [Interrupting] ’Bye.

[Disconnect]


Dispatcher: Emergency Center. What are you reporting? Hello?

Caller: We have – we have –

Dispatcher: I need to know. I know there’s an earthquake. Did you have any damage? Do you need medical assistance?

Caller: We have a boy who needs medical attention –

Dispatcher: [Interrupting] Okay, what is your address?

Caller: – at the Safeway store on Mount Herman Road.

Dispatcher: Inside the Safeway store?

Caller: Yes.

Dispatcher: Okay, is this the one in Scotts Valley?

Caller: Yes, it is.

Dispatcher: Okay, it’s on Mount Herman Road near Scotts Valley, right? Ma’am?

Caller: Right.

Dispatcher: Okay, what is wrong with him?

Caller: Ah, he was hit in the head – there’s a doctor – he – a – probably –

Dispatcher: [Interrupting] How old is he?

Caller: I don’t have any idea – somebody just –

Dispatcher: [Interrupting] Okay, do you know if he is conscious and breathing?

Caller: Uh, I think he may be, yea.

Dispatcher: Okay, but your not sure.

Caller: I’m really not sure.

Dispatcher: Okay, where in the Safeway store is he?

Caller: Um, I don’t even know.

Dispatcher: Okay, I need you – [conversation covered by audio from radio console] Is he inside the store?

Caller: Yes.

Dispatcher: Okay, I need you to have somebody stand outside to flag ’em down, okay?

Caller: Okay.

Dispatcher: What is the address there, the exact address on Mount Herman?

Caller: Ah, 245 Mount Herman Road –

Dispatcher: [Interrupting] 245 Mount Herman Road. Okay, your last name –

Caller: – it’s in Scotts Valley –

Dispatcher: [Interrupting] your last name – I know where it is – your last name?

Caller: Um – Oh Jesus! Here it comes again!

Dispatcher: Okay, what’s your ’phone number – gimme your ’phone number.

Caller: Um, my ’phone number is –

Dispatcher: 438 –

Caller: 438-2844.

Dispatcher: 1-8 what?

Caller: 4-4.

Dispatcher: Okay, I want you to – I want you to see if you can have somebody outside to flag down the fire department and the ambulance, Okay?

Caller: Okay, fine –

Dispatcher: [Interrupting] Alright.

Caller: – our ’phones are not working – there’s no power.

Dispatcher: Okay, we’ll, you need to have somebody stand outside so you can show them where the child is.

Caller: Okay –

Dispatcher: [Interrupting] Is it a child?

Caller: No, it’s a – it’s an adult.

Dispatcher: It’s an adult?

Caller: It’s one of the box boys –

Dispatcher: [Interrupting] Okay, we’re going to send help out there, okay?

Caller: Thank you.

Dispatcher: You’re welcome.


Dispatcher: Emergency Center. What are you reporting?

Caller: Hi, we need an ambulance, ah –

Dispatcher: [Interrupting] Where?

Caller: Seagrave Technology, Scotts Valley.

Dispatcher: What’s the address there?

Caller: I’m sorry?

Dispatcher: What’s the address there, sir!

Caller: Well, duh – ah – it’s a – a – [in background, "building 8!] – building 8.

Dispatcher: Okay, I need the street numbers on your street.

Caller: [Turning away from the telephone] What’s the street number, do you know that? [Answer in background “No,” followed by garbled shouting.]

Dispatcher: Do you know? Can you tell me?

Caller: Hang on! – Hang on! [In the background a voice says “175.”) Okay, 175 El Pueblo Road.

Dispatcher: 175 what? – El Tiem – ?

Caller: 175 El Pueblo Road – P-U-E-B-L –

Dispatcher: Wa-wa-wa-wa, stop. T?

Caller: P as in Paul.

Dispatcher: Oh, P as in Paul –

Caller: U.

Dispatcher: Oh, Pueblo!

Caller: Pueblo, yea.

Dispatcher: What building number?

Caller: That’s building 8.

Dispatcher: Okay, and what do you need there?

Caller: An ambulance. I think she got panicked or something, I’m not sure if –

Dispatcher: [Interjecting] Okay.

Caller: – she’s having a heart attack.

Dispatcher: Is she having what, trouble breathing? Is she conscious? What’s going on?

Caller: She’s not conscious.

Dispatcher: Okay, I’ll get help on the way.

Caller: Okay, thanks.

Dispatcher: ’Bye-bye.

Caller: ’Bye.


Dispatcher: Emergency Center.

Caller: Yea, emergency. Um, there’s an emergency up in Forest Lake, south Felton.

Dispatcher: Okay, what is wrong there.

Caller: Okay, a big earthquake just happened –

Dispatcher: I know that! What is wrong there?

Caller: Okay, my friend’s mom was home alone –

Dispatcher: Uh-huh.

Caller: – and I was just going by, and I went to her house and the whole fire – what-do-they-call – fireplace went into the house. Hold on.

Dispatcher: Okay, I’m sorry, what?

Caller: The house’s shaking.

Dispatcher: Okay,

Caller: The whole fireplace went in. She thinks it’s gonna start a fire.

Dispatcher: Halt! Wait a minute! Wait a minute! Okay?

Caller: [Heavy breathing] I can’t calm down.

Dispatcher: Listen – okay, listen to me.

Caller: Huh?

Dispatcher: Hold on a second ma’am – sir –

Caller: Okay.

Dispatcher: – listen to me, okay?

Caller: yea.

Dispatcher: I just need some more information. Were gettin’ a lotta – I know a lotta people need help, okay? So, first of all, what is the address?

Caller: Hold on, a second. [sound of hand over mouthpiece] This whole house is shakin’. I’m just runnin’ out every time it shakes. Um, you still there? Hello? Hello? Oh, ***t!

Dispatcher: Hello

Caller: Hello? – is this the –

Dispatcher: Okay, I need the address.

Caller: Okay, it’s a – [turning away from the telephone] What’s your address here? [in background, “845”] It’s 845 Redwood Road, but it’s – There’s a pool –

Dispatcher: I’m sorry, 845 what?

Caller: 845 Redwood Road.

Dispatcher: Redwood Road. What’s the closest cross-street?

Caller: Huh? – okay, it’s in south Felton, Forest Lake –

Dispatcher: Hold – hold on a second!

[Call is placed on hold by dispatcher for about 15 seconds.]

Dispatcher: Okay, I need to know what is the emergency – medical emergency, or what?

Caller: No, it could be a fire. She can’t go in the house and check it out –

Dispatcher: [Excited] Okay, if there – okay, do you have an emergency? Is there a fire now?

Caller: I’m not – I mean – There’s –

Dispatcher: [Excited] Sir! There’s lines ringing! [Shouting] Do you have a fire now!

Caller: [Shouting] Yes!

Dispatcher: [Shouting] Where’s the fire at? What kinda fire?

Caller: It’s fire from a fireplace in her house.

Dispatcher: Okay, flames –

Caller: [Interrupting] The fire – the – the –

Dispatcher: [interrupting and talking over caller] Okay, in other words –

Caller: – the whole thing fell in!

Dispatcher: – okay, so a fireplace, right?

Caller: Yea!

Dispatcher: Flames from a fireplace –

Caller: [Interjecting] Yea.

Dispatcher: – okay, at 845 Redwood Road. What –

Caller: [Interjecting] Yea.

Dispatcher: – is your closest cross-street?

Caller: Um, there’s a pool right there, and she lives right across from the pool.

Dispatcher. [Angry] What is the cross-street, sir, I need a need another street –

Caller: [Interrupting and turning away from telephone] What is your cross-street?

Dispatcher: – there are several Redwood’s.

Caller: [Different voice] Um – [In background “tell her the cross-street”) I live on 845 Redwood Road.

Dispatcher: [Angry] I got that! I need cross-street, please!

Caller: You come up Lakeview.

Dispatcher: Lakeview. Okay, so it’s flames from a fireplace that are going out of control inside her house?

Caller: Yea.

Dispatcher: Okay.

Caller: Okay.

Dispatcher: Get everybody outa the house.

Caller: Okay.

Dispatcher: Okay?

Caller: You gonna be here? –

Dispatcher: I need a ’phone number!

Caller: What’s the –

Dispatcher: [Agitated] ’Phone number!

Caller: I don’t know the ’phone number of the house!

Dispatcher: You don’t know –Okay, get everybody out of the house –

Caller: Okay.

Dispatcher: – 845 Redwood Road off of Lakeview, right?

Caller: Yea.

Dispatcher: Get out of the house!

Caller: Okay.


Dispatcher: Emergency Center.

Caller: Is there any emergency reason for getting out of Felton?

Dispatcher: Sir, I don’t know. Do you have an emergency now?

Caller: Just asking if I should leave town –

Dispatcher: [Interrupting and overriding caller] Sir, I don’t know–

Caller: – that’s the question.

Dispatcher: Do you need medical attention?

Caller: Obviously, you can’t listen. Have a good day.

Dispatcher: Sir! There are –[Disconnect.] aaah.


There is on the tape a short conversation between two dispatchers about a fire at 109 Myrtle – roof fully involved – at this point [city not detailed] on the tape. Recording ends with one dispatcher saying, “Here we go again.”
Dispatcher: Emergency Center. What are you reporting?

Caller: I need to get a fire department up here. We’re at a – a –mentally retarded home –

Dispatcher: [Interjecting] Okay.

Caller: – with kids and we can’t get the gas off!

Dispatcher: Okay! What – what’s the address there?

Caller: It’s Ashley Street – [turning from the telephone] what’s the – [in background, “it’s 46.” Caller turns back to the telephone and says:) 6346 Ashley Street, in Felton.

Dispatcher: Ashley Street, in Felton.

Caller: Uh–hum.

Dispatcher: Okay, let me get the fire department on the way.

Caller: Thank you.

Dispatcher: ’Bye-bye.


Dispatcher: Emergency Center. What are you reporting?

Caller: I’m in Lockhart Gulch Road –

Dispatcher: [Interrupting] What do you need, ma’am?

Caller: There’s a fire at the Christian Conference Center.

Dispatcher: Okay, fire. What’s the address there?

Caller: It’s at the Christian Conference Center –

Dispatcher: [Interrupting] What’s the address?

Caller: – I don’t have the address.

Dispatcher: Okay, what street is it on?

Caller: – Springs Conference Center.

Dispatcher: You know what street it’s on?

Caller: Lockhart Gulch Road.

Dispatcher: [long pause and clearing of throat] What street again?

Caller: Lockhart Gulch Road.

Dispatcher: [Pause] Okay, what – what’s on fire there, what’s going on?

Caller: I don’t know, we just see smoke, and there’s –

Dispatcher: [Interrupting] Okay, I’ll let the fire department know, I’ll let the fire department know, okay?

Caller: All right, thanks.

Dispatcher: ’Bye-bye.


Dispatcher: Emergency Center. What are you reporting?

Caller: I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you.

Dispatcher: What are you reporting, ma’am.

Caller: Gas leak

Dispatcher: Where?

Caller: I mean propane leak, I’m sorry.

Dispatcher: Okay, where?

Caller: 11943 Van Allen Road.

Dispatcher: 11943 Van Allen?

Caller: Yes.

Dispatcher: Okay, are you able to turn it off, ma’am?

Caller: [Fright in voice] Ah – hum.

Dispatcher: Is in inside your house or outside?

Caller: It’s an outside tank.

Dispatcher: Okay, the tank is leaking?

Caller: Yea, I can smell it.

Dispatcher: Okay, your last – Well, we will get help as soon as we can, ma’am. Keep everybody away from it. All the fire departments are extremely busy, okay?

Caller: Alright, I’ve tried –

Dispatcher: [Interrupting] Everybody away from it.

Caller: – Alright, I think the nozzles have been moved –

Dispatcher: [Interrupting] Okay, I understand that. Keep everybody away from it. We’ll give you help when we can.

Caller: – It’s in Felton.

Dispatcher: Ah, okay, ’bye-bye.


Dispatcher: Emergency Center. What are you reporting?

Caller: Yea, we have a gas leak on 202 East Beach Street.

Dispatcher: What, a – 202 East Street?

Caller: – and we can’t get out of our house – the door’s locked, we’re upstairs apart – apartment building.

Dispatcher: Inside the house?

Caller: Yea, we need someone to get the door open – fast!

Dispatcher: Okay – um –

Caller: Okay, right, 202 East Beach Street –

Dispatcher: Stay on the line for the police, okay?

Caller: Okay.


[RING]

Watsonville Fire: Hello?

Dispatcher: Hi, this Watsonville?

Watsonville Fire: Yea, this is Watsonville Fire. We have a structure fire at the, ah, airport – Airport Boulevard mobile home park. Ah, I need Freedom, ah, dispatched.

Dispatcher: Okay, do you know the address there?

Watsonville Fire: Ah, no I don’t. It’s the, ah, one right across the ah, from the airport – Airport Boulevard.

Dispatcher: Okay, that’s Colonial Manor mobile home park?

Watsonville Fire: That’s it.

Dispatcher: Okay, um, also at 202 East Beach Street –

Watsonville Fire: Yes?

Dispatcher: – you’ve got a gas leak in the residence. People are unable to exit.

Watsonville Fire: 202 East Beach?

Dispatcher: Yea, they – they’re door’s jammed – they can’t get out.

Watsonville Fire: Okay.

Dispatcher: Okay?

Watsonville Fire: Right.

Dispatcher: ’Bye-bye.


Dispatcher: Emergency Center!

Caller: Zayante or Lompico, on Redwood Drive. I can’t get the Zayante Fire Department on –

Dispatcher: Okay, sir, do you have a fire?

Caller: We have a house that came down and there’s a guy trapped in it.

Dispatcher: Trapped inside the house?

Caller: Yea.

Dispatcher: Okay – where?

Caller: 10313 Redwood Drive, Lompico.

Dispatcher: Okay, in Lompico, right – and what’s your nearest cross-street?

Caller: It runs off of West Drive. It’s the third street to the left off West Drive.

Dispatcher: So West Drive –

Caller: Yea –

Dispatcher: – is your nearest cross-street, and he’s down underneath the house?

Caller: Yea, I – it’s my neighbor’s house, that’s what my neighbor told me, yea.

Dispatcher: Okay. I need a ’phone number your calling from.

Caller: 335-4591

Dispatcher: 4-5, I’m sorry, 4-5 –

Caller: 4591

Dispatcher: 4591. Address of the house of that is 10313 Redwood Drive –

Caller: [Interjection] That’s right.

Dispatcher: – off of West Drive, and as far as you know the man is down underneath the house, right?

Caller: Yes.

[Dispatcher and caller covering one another]

Caller: – he should be alright, but he’s trapped in there.

Dispatcher: Sir?

Caller: Ah?

Dispatcher: We’re sending help out as soon as we can, okay?

Caller: If you can get the Zayante Fire Department –

Dispatcher: Hey, sir? Listen to me. We page ’em out. There’s a lot of other calls. As soon as we can, we’ll get ’em out, okay?

Caller: I understand. I’m not shook up. Don’t talk to me like a kid, I’m okay.

Dispatcher: Okay, well sir, we have hundreds of calls, okay –

Caller: Sure.

Dispatcher: – I’ve got to go, ’bye-bye.


Dispatcher: Emergency Center.

Caller: Hi – um – um – we live up here on Bean Creek Road?

Dispatcher: Okay, do you have an emergency?

Caller: Uh, yea.

Dispatcher: What is the emergency?

Caller: Both of our roads caved in on both sides.

Dispatcher: Do you have – need medical attention now?

Caller: No.

Dispatcher: Please hold!

[Call placed on hold by dispatcher. Not answered again on tape.]


Dispatcher: [Agitated] Emergency Center. What are you reporting?

Caller: Ah, well, I have gas, at least I smell gas in my garage after this earthquake, and I don’t know how to shut it off!

Dispatcher: Okay, what’s your address there, ma’am?

Caller: 101 Westley Street in Capitola.

Dispatcher: Okay, I’ll let the fire department know.

Caller: Thanks.

Dispatcher: Okay, ’bye.


Dispatcher: [Agitated] Emergency Center. What are you reporting?

Caller: Yea, I don’t know who to call. I have a broken power – er, I mean water line to the –

Dispatcher: [Interrupting] Broken water line?

Caller: Yea.

Dispatcher: You’re going to have to call your water company. I can’t help you. I need to tend to medical emergencies.

Caller: Okay.

[Disconnect]


Dispatcher: Dispatch Center. What are you reporting?

Caller: We’re reporting the earthquake at Soquel High School.

Dispatcher: Okay, anyone there hurt?

Caller: Uh, I’m not sure. A few people –

Dispatcher: [Interrupting] Okay, if you know if there’s any injuries or smell of gas, or fire, call us back please.

Caller: Okay, all the pipes are broken in the pool, and the chlorine’s out, and that’s why I called.

Dispatcher: Okay, ’bye.

Caller: ’Bye.


Dispatcher: Emergency Center. What are you reporting?

Caller: Yes, sir. Ambulance to 80 Santa Clara.

Dispatcher: [Garble] – where?

Caller: 80 – 80 Santa Clara.

Dispatcher: 80 Santa Clara?

Caller: Yea.

Dispatcher: House or an apartment there?

Caller: Excuse me?

Dispatcher: House or an apartment, sir, house or apartment?

Caller: No, it’s a house.

Dispatcher: It’s a house, okay. Why do you need an ambulance there?

Caller: Somebody’s really hurt. I don’t know [unintelligible] – or not – ambulance.

Dispatcher: Okay, what’s the problem with him?

Caller: Somebody’s cut him real good.

Dispatcher: Oh, he’s got cut?

Caller: Uh-huh.

Dispatcher: Okay, where did he get cut from?

Caller: His leg.

Dispatcher: Okay, I’ll let the fire and ambulance know. It’s probably going to be a while though, sir, okay?

Caller: Okay.

Dispatcher: Alright, ’bye-bye.


Dispatcher: Emergency Center.

Caller: Hi, my name is Bettina Gonzal –

Dispatcher: [Interrupting and overriding caller] I need to – if you – what’s the problem. Police, fire or ambulance.

Caller: Ah, fire! The main gas line’s broken and –

Dispatcher: [Interrupting] Where?

Caller: – we need to get the people –

Dispatcher: [Interrupting] Where?

Caller: –of here – 47 Davis –

Dispatcher: [Interrupting] Okay.

Caller: – in Freedom.

Dispatcher: Okay, 47 Davis?

Caller: Yea, the cross-road is –

Dispatcher: [Interrupting] And the gas – gas line is broken?

Caller: Yea, and we can’t get the people out of the house!

Dispatcher: And there’s people trapped inside the house?

Caller: We think so!

Dispatcher: Okay, inside 47 Davis, is that correct?

Caller: It’s across the street from 47 Davis –

Dispatcher: [Interrupting and overriding caller] Okay, so – ya’ know how many people are inside the house?

Caller: We – there’s just one ol’ lady we don’t know who – whoÊ– we don’t know if there’s anyone else in there with her!

Dispatcher: But you’re sure she’s inside the house?

Caller: No, we’re not sure, but the gas line we know, because I can hear it – we’re trying to get to it right now. I hope –

Dispatcher: [Interrupting and overriding caller] Okay, so you think she might be in there, but you’re not sure?

Caller: Right!

Dispatcher: Okay. This is across from 47 –

Caller: [Doubling with dispatcher] 47 Davis.

Dispatcher: – Across from 47 Davis. Okay, listen to me, okay?

Caller: Okay!

Dispatcher: We’re gonna try to get somebody out there as soon as you can – as soon as we can, okay?

Caller: Uh-hum?

Dispatcher: Okay, so I want you to ask – you find out she’s not in there, call me back, okay?

Caller: Okay, I will.

Dispatcher: Alright, and give me your ’phone number.

Caller: I’m calling from a payphone – my ’phone’s not working!

Dispatcher: Okay, that’s fine. Like I said, if you find out she’s not there –

Caller: [Interrupting and overriding dispatcher] Right, I’ll call you back immediately.

Dispatcher: – please call me back. Okay, ’bye.


Dispatcher: Emergency Center What are you reporting?

Caller: [Elderly] I’m reporting, ah, a propane tank that’s –

Dispatcher: [Interrupting] Okay, sir.

Caller: – ruptured.

Dispatcher: Okay – I’m going to have to put you on hold for just one second. I’ll be right back.

Caller: Ah –

[Hold function interrupts caller. Dispatcher does not return to this call on the tape.]


Dispatcher: [over fast busy signal] Emergency Center!

[Disconnect]


Dispatcher: Emergency Center.

Caller: Hi, um – I need –

Dispatcher: [Interrupting and overriding caller] Do you need fire, police or ambulance?

Caller: Fire.

Dispatcher: Fire, where?

Caller: Not a fire – it’s a gas leak.

Dispatcher: Where?

Caller: Um, propane leak. It’s on Vine Hill Road.

Dispatcher: Where on Vine Hill?

Caller: 2317. It’s right near where Vine Hill –

Dispatcher: [Interrupts and overrides caller] 2317, okay. Is it close to a house, or what?

Caller: It’s at the top – no – a –

Dispatcher: [Interrupts and overrides caller] Is it close to a house, ma’am? Ma’am?

Caller: – right as you came off 17.

Dispatcher: Hold on please, I’ll be right back, okay?

Caller: Okay.

Dispatcher: Hold on.

Caller: Okay.

[Call placed on hold. Dispatcher does not return to this call on the tape.]


Dispatcher: Emergency Center.

Caller: Yes – this is, a –

Dispatcher: [Interrupts and overrides the caller] Do you need police, fire or ambulance?

Caller: Uh, we got a gas leak!

Dispatcher: Okay. Is there – is there a house near by? Is it going to a house?

Caller: There’s a – there’s a bar and a store right – right where the gas leak is!

Dispatcher: How close?

Caller: Oh, probably about four or five feet.

Dispatcher: Okay. What’s the address?

Caller: 320 Walker Street. It’s right on East Lake and Walker. Ah, West Lake –

Dispatcher: [interjection] Okay.

Caller: – and Walker.

Dispatcher: Okay, so it’s a gas leak –

Caller: [Interrupting] Yea –

Dispatcher: – four to five feet –

Caller [Interrupting] – you can smell it!

Dispatcher: I need a ’phone number, sir.

Caller: 724-6092.

Dispatcher: Okay, we’re gonna send – get people out, okay? Don’t let them near that house, okay?

Caller: Okay, thank you!

Dispatcher: Alright, ’bye.


Dispatcher: Emergency Center. What are you reporting?

Caller: Uh, we had an earthquake here –

Dispatcher: [Interrupts and overrides the caller] Okay! Do you need a fire department or ambulance, sir?

Caller: One of my friends got [unintelligible words] –some people are panicking and stuff like that! It’s at Domincan Hospital! Can you please get some – send some help over here! Emergency!

Dispatcher: [Interrupting and overriding caller] What – what kinda’ help do you need?

Caller: Dominican Hospital! We had an earthquake and there’s panic here, and stuff like that!

Dispatcher: Panic?

Caller: Yea.

Dispatcher: [rapidly speaking] Okay, I can’t help you here, sir. Good bye!

[Disconnect]


Dispatcher: Emergency Center. What are you reporting?

Caller: Um, a man with a broken ankle.

Dispatcher: Broken ankle, where? Where?

Caller: Swan Lake Apartments –

Dispatcher: [Interrupting and overriding caller] What’s the address?

Caller: – 755-24th Avenue, building 6.

Dispatcher: 755-24th, building 6. What room?

Caller: Pardon?

Dispatcher: What room number?

Caller: Um, he’s outside.

Dispatcher: Outside?

Caller: Right.

Dispatcher: Broken leg.

Caller: Ankle.

Dispatcher: Broken ankle.

Caller: Yea.

Dispatcher: Okay, I’ll let ’em know. It’s probably gonna be a while, though –

Caller: Okay.

Dispatcher: – just so you know ahead of time. Okay, ’bye.

Caller: ’Bye.


Dispatcher: Emergency Center. What are you reporting?

Caller: I’m reporting a gas leak on 42 Eaton.

Dispatcher: Okay, hold on, ma’am, hold on one minute.

Caller: Sorry.

Dispatcher: That’s okay – where’s it at?

Caller: 42 Eaton.

Dispatcher: 42 Eaton?

Caller: Yes. Is this Marilyn?

Dispatcher: No. Is this a house or an apartment?

Caller: It’s a house.

Dispatcher: A house?

Caller: Yes.

Dispatcher: Okay, is there anyone in the house?

Caller: No.

Dispatcher: This is the city of Watsonville, right?

Caller: Yes, it is.

Dispatcher: Is this natural gas?

Caller: Um, natural gas?

Dispatcher: Is it like – no, is it, ma’am, is it gas like from the smell of gas, or is it fuel gas?

Caller: Fuel gas.

Dispatcher: Fuel gas?

Caller: Yes. [Pause] 42 Eaton Avenue, it’s off East Lake.

Dispatcher: Great! Alright! We’re going to send the fire department out there, okay?

Caller: Okay, thank you.

Dispatcher: Thank you. Your last name?

Caller: It’s Hervey. H-E-R-V-E-Y.

Dispatcher: Okay, what’s the ’phone number there?

Caller: Ah, 728-0734.

Dispatcher: Okay! Great! We’ll send the fire department. Thank you!

Caller: Thank you.


Dispatcher: Emergency Center. What are you reporting?

Caller: A gas smell.

Dispatcher: Where?

Caller: At 2880 Soquel – it’s a business.

Dispatcher: What’s the name of the business.

Caller: [interrupting] Soquel Drive.

Dispatcher: Soquel Drive or Avenue?

Caller: It’s drive.

Dispatcher: What’s the name of the business?

Caller: It’s Vantress Signs.

Dispatcher: I’m sorry, spell that.

Caller: V-A-N, like Victor, A-N-T-R-E-S-S.

Dispatcher: T-R-E-S-S?

Caller: Right, it’s right next to Midas Muffler.

Dispatcher: [Heavy breathing]

Caller: I bet you guys are going nuts.

Dispatcher: Yea. Okay, and there’s smell of gas in the building?

Caller: Yes.

Dispatcher: Okay, evacuate the building. We’re going to send out some fire department.

Caller: Alright, thank you.

Dispatcher: Just a minute! Your last name please?

Caller: Register, just like cash.

Dispatcher: The ’phone number there?

Caller: 688 – I mean – I’m sorry. 479 –

Dispatcher: [Interjection] Uh-huh.

Caller: – 3383.

Dispatcher: 3383?

Caller: That’s right.

Dispatcher: Alright, thank you.

Caller: Thank you.


Dispatcher: Emergency Center!

Caller: Yes, the northbound, southbound lanes, Highway 1, between Riverside exit –

Dispatcher: [Interrupting and overriding caller] Okay, sir, I need to know is there an emergency there.

Caller: Yes, there’s the bridge has collapsed. There’s vehicles in the – the bridge that has collapsed!

Dispatcher: Okay, and – I’m sorry, tell me again where –

Caller: [interrupting] Between Riverside Drive exit on Highway 1 and the Green Valley exit on Highway 1.

Dispatcher: Riverside exit and Green Valley –

Caller: Exit.

Dispatcher: – it’s the whole thing down?

Caller: Both sides!

Dispatcher: Do you know –

Caller: [Interrupting] Traffic –

Dispatcher: – if anybody’s hurt?

Caller: I see people with first–aid kits and running, and I’ve seen –

Dispatcher: [Interjection] Yes.

Caller: – vehicles in the gully – I did not stop –

Dispatcher: [Interrupting] Okay.

Caller: – to confirm anything.

Dispatcher: Okay, sir? I’m going –

Caller: Yes?

Dispatcher: – to transfer you to Highway Patrol.

Caller: Thank you.

Dispatcher: If you learn there’s injuries, call me back.

Caller: Thank you.

[Ringing]

Dispatcher: You’re welcome. Stay on, I’m sure they’re busy, okay? Don’t hang up.

Caller: I know, I –

[Disconnect.)


Dispatcher: Emergency Center!

[Fast busy signal]

Dispatcher: Emergency Center!

[Fast busy signal]

Dispatcher: Emergency Center!

Caller: Hi, um, I want –

Dispatcher: [interrupting and overriding the caller] I need to know, police! Fire! Ambulance!

Caller: Uh, fire!

Dispatcher: Fire. Where?

Caller: Watsonville Sears.

Dispatcher: Where? What’s the address? Is that the one on Main Street?

Caller: Yes –

Dispatcher: What –

Caller: – 1834-ish.

Dispatcher: 1834 Main Street. What’s on fire?

Caller: I can’t – I can’t get into the bakery, but it smells like smoke in there.

Dispatcher: Smell like smoke –

Caller: Yes.

Dispatcher: – coming from the bakery?

Caller: And they, and they do have gas and nobody knows where the gas line is!

Dispatcher: Okay, what’s the address of the bakery. Is that 1834?

Caller: Yea.

Dispatcher: Okay, so, smell of gas?

Caller: Uh-huh.

Dispatcher: Okay, your ’phone number?

Caller: Uh, 722-0832.

Dispatcher: 0832, okay. We’ll get the fire department on the way soon as we can.

Caller: Thank you.

Dispatcher: ’Bye.


Dispatcher: Emergency Center!

SCFD: Um, Station 2, Santa Cruz, checkin’ to see that this ’phone is workin’.

Dispatcher: Check, it is.

SCFD: Okay.

Dispatcher: [Rapidly] I have to go, ’bye!


Dispatcher: Radio!

Caller: Hi, um, do we have – ah – ambulance or fire or anybody goin’ to Forest [indistinct word], we have some pretty bad injuries there.

Dispatcher: To where?

Caller: Forest at Eleventh –

Dispatcher: Yea, I cut a card about 10 minutes ago. They’re – they’ve been made aware.

Caller: Okay.

Dispatcher: Okay, ’bye!


Dispatcher: Radio!

SCFD: Station 2, Santa Cruz again. We want all our calls comin’ to Station 2, Santa Cruz, okay?

Dispatcher: Okay, you want them on the Hotline?

SCFD: On the Hotline, we’re settin’ up the EOC also.

Dispatcher: Okay, alright!

SCFD: Thanks.


Dispatcher: Emergency Center.

Caller: Hi, the –

Dispatcher: [Interrupts caller] I need to know – police, fire or ambulance.

Caller: Uh, I guess police or fire.

Dispatcher: Okay, what’s on fire?

Caller: Nothing, there’s a ruptured gas tank at the number 2 Zay–

Dispatcher: [Interrupts] Where?

Caller: Zayante Fire Department number 2 –

Dispatcher: [Interrupts caller] I need –

Caller: – station.

Dispatcher: At the station itself?

Caller: Yes.

Dispatcher: Okay, what’s the address there. Do you know?

Caller: On Zayante Road, I don’t know what the address is. It’s up on Lompico – It’s up on the Lompico Road –

Dispatcher: [Interrupting] Okay.

Caller: – Felton – in Felton.

Dispatcher: Okay, I’ll send – it’s a ruptured gas line or what?

Caller: Tank.

Dispatcher: What kind of tank? A propane tank?

Caller: Propane tank.

Dispatcher: And it’s at – it’s at the fire department itself?

Caller: Yes.

Dispatcher: Okay.

Caller: The number 2 station.

Dispatcher: The number 2 station on Zayante Road? What – you know the closest cross-street?

Caller: Lompico?

Dispatcher: Lompico Road? Okay.

Caller: Thank you.

Dispatcher: No! Wait! –

Caller: Oh!

Dispatcher: – I need a ’phone number, please.

Caller: 335-3305

Dispatcher: 9305? Okay, I need to know how close is it to a building?

Caller: Um, I don’t know – maybe 200 yards?

Dispatcher: Okay, but not close?

Caller: Right.

Dispatcher: Okay. We’re gonna get ’em on the way as soon as we can, alright?

Caller: Okay, thanks.

Dispatcher: Okay, ’bye.

Caller: ’Bye.


[RINGING]

SCFD: [Over ringing] Hello!

Dispatcher: [Over ringing] Okay, what station I’ve got here?

SCFD: [Over ringing] Station 1.

Dispatcher: [Over ringing] Okay, do you want your calls on the ’phone?

SCFD: [Over ringing] Sure.

Dispatcher: [Over ringing] Okay, I’ll let them know.

SCFD: [Over ringing] The thing’s not working. I just got here, I don’t know.

Dispatcher: [Over ringing] Okay.

SCFD: [Over ringing] Is that all ya’ need?

Dispatcher: [Over ringing] What’s that?

SCFD: [Over ringing] Is that all ya’ need?

Dispatcher: [Over ringing] Yea!

SCFD: [Over ringing] Okay, ’bye.

Dispatcher: [Over ringing] Okay, ’bye. Doe’s Station 1’s phone work for Santa Cruz Fire? – it makes a difference for her for paging.


Dispatcher: Emergency Center. What are you reporting?

Caller: [Crying and hysterical sobbing.]?

Dispatcher: Are you hurt?

Caller: [Crying and hysterical sobbing] no.

Dispatcher: Are you just upset?

Caller: [Crying and shouting] I just got home and my whole house is totally fallen down – [crying continues.]

Dispatcher: Your house?

Caller: [Crying] Yes!

Dispatcher: Okay, I can’t help you because people need ambulances, I’ll have to go, okay? – Alright? ’Bye-bye?

[Disconnect]


Dispatcher: Emergency Center. What are you reporting?

Caller: Hello?

Dispatcher: Hello?

Caller: Hi, we’re in Boulder Creek by the Mountain Store and I – apparently there’s a fire – a fire going on up above the Mountain Store area.

Dispatcher: Fire above the Mountain Store.

Caller: Yea – it was – some guy just came by and said call.

Dispatcher: Okay.

Caller: I’m not sure exactly where it’s at. He said it was right up, beyond – behind the Mountain Store.

Dispatcher: Okay, can you see what’s on fire up there?

Caller: I can’t see anything. Hold on, let’s see if we can have somebody look.

Dispatcher: Okay, ma’am, hello?

Caller: He said it was up the road, but I don’t know if he mean’t up [Highway] 9 or –

Dispatcher: [Interrupts and overrides caller] Okay, I’m going to let Boulder Creek Fire know – I can’t assist you any further on this line.

Caller: Okay, thank you.

Dispatcher: Okay, ’bye.

Caller: ’Bye.


Dispatcher: Emergency Center. What are you reporting?

Caller: Yes, I have a gas leak at 19 Eaton Avenue.

Dispatcher: At what?

Caller: At 19 Eaton.

Dispatcher: 19 Eaton?

Caller: Yes, it’s right a – it’s across the street – right off of East Lake Avenue.

Dispatcher: In Watsonville?

Caller: Yes.

Dispatcher: Okay, ’bye!

END OF 30-MINUTE TAPE

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