Scotts Valley company behind state’s earthquake early warning system

“I lost my home in Loma Prieta,” said George Dickson, referring to the devastating Oct. 17, 1989 earthquake.

The quake rattled the greater San Francisco Bay area and Santa Cruz County was hit particularly hard. The experience gave Dickson, an entrepreneur, an idea — a concept that got the attention of state lawmakers.

“In 400 milliseconds, we know that the earthquake is of the magnitude that is dangerous,” said Dickson.

Dickson is the CEO of Seismic Warning Systems, a company based in Scotts Valley. He and his team have created early earthquake warning systems.

How does it work? A special scientific device reads the waves deep down in the earth’s core, and can predict when an earthquake will hit.

“Twelve and a half years ago we installed standalone systems in all the fire stations in Vallejo,” said Dickson.

And in August this innovative technology came in handy – when a 6.1 magnitude earthquake shook Napa County, not far from the city of Vallejo.

“We opened up the fire station doors, turned on the lights, gave them a 911 alert,” said Dickson. “All that was done before the doors were fully even open.”

Forty-nine other businesses across the state also have Dickson’s Seismic Warning Systems installed, and he hopes this technology will mean a few extra lifesaving seconds when the next big one hits.