But no one is spared from the real disaster. By sunset, the writing on the walls is thick and the flood of calls slows to drip. Those in the noticeably less-crowded room swarm around a television set. The screen flickers with a cable station reporter's interview of elected officials and some of the operations center's less-known foot soldiers. Then they recognize the operations center's efforts, and shouts and cheers fill the room.
Tense shoulders loosen.
Operations center staff will undergo emergency disaster training this spring in Virginia, Oberquell says. Ironically, she says, the training will include a mock earthquake. Michael Burnham covers Olympia for The Olympian. He can be reached at 704-6869.