Call 911 for a small earthquake? Why?

[bcp]

From:
3.2 earthquake recorded west of Salem | News - Home

A 3.2 magnitude earthquake was recorded at 6 a.m. Friday about 25 miles west of Salem.

A sheriff's dispatcher in Salem says the 911 center received calls from residents saying they felt the shaking, but there are no reports of damage.

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Why call 911 for an earthquake if there are no injuries or damage? You might be interfering with a real emergency call.

Bruce

 

[Mendonsy]

It wasn't too long ago that some stupid people were calling 911 because Facebook was down! Does that make sense?

 

[Mace Canute]

It wasn't too long ago that some stupid people were calling 911 because Facebook was down! Does that make sense?

They had to change from telling people to call *nine*eleven* to telling them to call *nine*one*one* in an emergency because of fear that some people couldn't find the *eleven* key...

Methinks there was a little Homer in all of them...

681 Simpsons - Homer Any Key on Vimeo

 

[charlz]

How about the lady that called 911 because McDonald's ran out of McNuggets (actually she paid, they were out and McD's did not give her the money back but still.... )

 

[Bird]

A sheriff's dispatcher in Salem says the 911 center received calls from residents saying they felt the shaking, but there are no reports of damage.

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Why call 911 for an earthquake if there are no injuries or damage? You might be interfering with a real emergency call.

I can see your point, Bruce, but I'll disagree. When a person "feels" the earthquake, or what he/she assumes to be an earthquake, but doesn't know whether there's any damage or injuries, and doesn't know whether anyone at the police and/or fire departments felt it, and doesn't actually know whether it was an earthquake or something else, I can understand that person calling, and even think he/she should call.

 

[TomSeller]

Aren't there websites for earthquakes that could be checked?

 

[Xfaxman]

T there websites for earthquakes that could be checked?

I use: Earthquake Hazards Program

Customized with the Options icon to get all magnitudes for my area.

 

[Branchchipper]

I can tell you from direct experience that folks calling 911 simply to report having felt an earthquake quickly overwhelm local PSAP systems here on the west coast. Reporting that you felt something is useful for earthquake researchers (see below) but of no value whatsoever to 911 dispatchers who must begin triaging the calls for help in the case of a significant event.
If you are in OR or WA, the best site by far to follow seismic events and research is the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network, 301 Moved Permanently
In CA, it is the California Integrated Seismic Network, Welcome to the CISN
Both sites can link you to USGS resources including "Shake Map" where your personal experience can be logged to help locate and scale an event.
Both sites also have very friendly blogs and discussion groups where no one is ever ridiculed for asking "dumb questions" of the experts.

 

[Bird]

OK, Bruce and Branchchipper, maybe I was wrong. Wouldn't be the first time. My personal experience with earthquakes was limited to a couple of times in Anchorage, AK, 1991 and I think 1982.

 

[oosik]

Hey Bird - I lived in Anchorage, Ak from 1965 thru 1982. If we would have called the police dept (don't think 911 was available then) for every quake we felt - the phone would have soon been worn out. We never got excited about a quake until the light chandler in the entry way started swinging.

 

[Silvic]

The 911 dispatchers may have their faults but they are not so oblivious they did not feel any quake that was of a significant strength.

If your house fell down and trapped Timmy and you need help extracting him please call. If a gas line broke and you have a fire please call (please keep an appropriate wrench tied/ attached to your gas main shutoff valve for self help after a big quake; the house you save will be your own)

But to call for any size quake unless you need emergency responders at your specific location is self centered and removes resources that most likely are needed by someone who actually requires them.

 

[Xfaxman]

8 small earthquakes within the last 24 hours.

36 in the last 7 days, expanded the map to show the 2 near Irving Texas.

And 1 day, North America.

 

[sld]

As a kid we had a plane crash close enough to the house you might've confused with a small earthquake. In areas that don't get very many quakes it would be the last thing you think of.

 

[Fidler4]

Did you feel it? Is the site I use.

Did You Feel It?