From: rhockins@enrico.tmc.edu (Russell Hockins)
Newsgroups: ca.earthquakes
Subject: Re: San Francisco Earthquake 89
Date: 19 Nov 92 21:49:01 GMT
Organization: /etc/organization

I was in the San Jose Convention center at my companies booth at Scan Tech 
'90, which was for companies who make barcodes and barcode readers.  I have
experienced several quakes in my life here in California, but this one 
was the strongest.  When the quake hit, which seemed mild at first, everyone
started walking toward a door or archway to wait it out.  Then the quake
*really* hit and everyone rushed/ran for the nearest doorway/arch.  The
lights went on and off, ceiling tiles fell down, booths went crashing over,
fortunately none of the light fixtures came down.  Then the lights went off
and the emergency battery operated lights came on over the doors.  I was
surprised by the fact that everyone did not run for the doors in a blind 
panic, but merely walked rapidly.  It could not have been done better.  The
entire hall, vendors as well as the public, evacuated the building in under
two minuites.

I am an Amatuer Radio Operator and rarely went anywhere without my radio.
This time I had my HT [ Hand held radio ] as well as my scanner.  I heard
nothing on the scanner [ police, fire, ambulance, sheriff, etc. ] but my
HT was very active on all the repeaters I could reach.  Everyone was milling
about in front of the convention center not knowing what to do.  It probably
was not the brightest thing to do at the time, but I went back into the
building to get to the parking garage to get my car out [ really my dad's
truck ! ] before an aftershock hit.  I also always carry a pocket flashlight
with me.  It was a good thing too as there was absolutely *no* lights in
the garage.  This was several minutes after the quake and I could *still*
feel an occillation in the building going from end to end.  Every car
alarm that had a motion detector was going off.  As I was the only one with a
light, but not the first to go in after my car.  I helped several people
get into their cars on the way to mine.  When I got to the truck, it was still
rocking from the quake and the continuing motion of the building.

When I got outside,  I found nothing on AM or FM radio.  My Ham radio had a
continuing series of reports from people around the bay and the scanner
was starting to show some activity.  I checked into the emergency services
net and made my way home to Alamo [ remember the series of quakes there after
Loma Preita ? ] and reported any damage I saw on the way.  Halfway home I
made contact with my father, who is also a Ham, and found out everyone was
ok and there was no major damage.

Since then, I go absolutely *nowhere* without my radio, even if I am just
going out to walk the dog!  It was the *only* form of communication that
was in operation immediately after the quake.  I was lucky to be able to
get home from so far away after a quake like that.  Now I am even better
prepared for one.  I have supplies in my car as well as at home.  The radio
proved its worth in an emergency and I am very glad I got my lisence when I
did.  *Everyone* should have a similar form of communication at their
fingertips as normal methods [ including celluar ] most likely will not be
in operation for some time after a quake or other disaster [ tornado, 
hurricane, etc. ].  Even CB is better than nothing.

ARE YOU PREPARED FOR THE NEXT QUAKE ? ? ? 

I KNOW I AM.


-- 
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| Russell Hockins               |  This civilization is recyclable           |
| Innovative Interfaces, Inc.   |              ( well most of it anyway )    |
| My own opinions  no one elses |  packet : ka6foy @ ki6yk.#nocal.ca.na.usa  |