Disaster Responder Simulator: An Upcoming 3D Disaster Preparedness & Emergency Management Platform
A Multiplayer Virtual Environment for Incident Command System (ICS) Teamwork, Disaster Response Exercises, and Emergency Management Simulation
Currently in Development — Seeking Beta Participants
Disaster Responder Simulator is an upcoming multiplayer 3D disaster preparedness and emergency management simulation platform. The project is currently in development, and the features and capabilities described on this page represent planned development objectives. They are not currently available for public use and may evolve as development progresses.
We are inviting interested individuals, emergency management professionals, first responders, volunteers, and organizations to express their interest in participating in the upcoming beta program. Apply For Beta Access »
The Vision: A New Approach to Virtual Disaster Preparedness and Teamwork
Disaster Responder Simulator is being developed to expand the possibilities of disaster preparedness training, emergency management exercises, and collaborative response planning through interactive multiplayer 3D simulation environments.
Combining the flexibility of traditional tabletop exercises with the immersive capabilities of a 3D simulation environment, the platform is envisioned as a virtual space where individuals and teams can practice Incident Command System (ICS)-based teamwork, explore disaster scenarios, coordinate emergency operations, and collaborate with other participants and organizations.
One of the primary objectives is to introduce an anytime, anywhere element to disaster preparedness activities. Rather than always having to coordinate physical meetings, travel, or assemble everyone at a common location, participants will eventually be able to meet and interact in a shared virtual environment from their offices, homes, or other locations.
Whether you are involved in emergency management, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) activities, fire and rescue services, disaster relief, public safety, or community preparedness, Disaster Responder Simulator is being designed to provide additional opportunities for collaboration, practice, visualization, and learning.
The goal is to create more than just a disaster simulation. It is envisioned as a flexible virtual tabletop and sandbox environment where participants can explore ideas, develop scenarios, practice coordination, and work together.
Virtual Disaster Training and Emergency Management Without Geographic Limitations
Traditional disaster preparedness exercises and emergency response training often require participants to coordinate schedules, travel to a physical location, and assemble equipment and resources.
Disaster Responder Simulator is being developed to offer an additional approach: a shared virtual environment where individuals and teams can eventually meet, collaborate, and practice together, regardless of their physical location.
The planned platform is intended to support:
- Collaborative disaster preparedness exercises.
- Incident Command System (ICS) teamwork and coordination.
- Virtual tabletop exercises and scenario development.
- Emergency operations and resource management discussions.
- Cross-organizational collaboration and communication.
- Team-building activities and educational presentations.
The objective is to make collaborative disaster preparedness activities more accessible while complementing existing training methods, tabletop exercises, and hands-on practice.
Planned Features and Capabilities
The following features represent the current development vision for Disaster Responder Simulator. Specific functionality, implementation, and availability will depend on development progress. These are planned capabilities, not features currently available for public use.
Disaster Scenarios, Evacuation, and Aftermath Environments
Planned virtual environments will include common disaster scenarios, evacuation situations, and post-disaster settings. These environments are intended to provide opportunities for participants to explore emergency management challenges, discuss response strategies, and practice coordinated activities.
Virtual Incident Command Posts and Emergency Shelters
The platform is envisioned to support user-generated environments and interactive operational spaces, including:
- Virtual Incident Command Posts and command centers.
- Emergency shelter setup, organization, and management.
- Collaborative operational planning environments.
- Scenario-based incident coordination and resource management.
Triage, Search and Rescue, and Fire Suppression
Planned interactive systems are intended to support a variety of emergency response activities, including:
- Patient triage and assessment scenarios.
- Search and rescue exercises.
- Fire suppression systems and related activities.
- Interactive patients, animals, and environmental objects.
Interactive Equipment, Vehicles, Aircraft, and Watercraft
The development vision includes interactive objects and equipment designed to make virtual scenarios more engaging and realistic.
Planned capabilities include:
- Interactive props and emergency response equipment.
- Driveable vehicles.
- Interactive aircraft and watercraft.
- Scenario-specific objects, equipment, and environmental elements.
Multiplayer Collaboration and Communication
Disaster Responder Simulator is being designed around multiplayer interaction and collaborative participation.
Planned communication and presentation capabilities include:
- Shared multiplayer 3D environments.
- Multimedia presentation tools.
- Screen sharing and webcam capabilities.
- Small and large-scale virtual meetings.
- Collaborative training and team-building activities.
Virtual Conferences, Exhibitions, and Visualization
Beyond disaster preparedness and emergency management exercises, the platform is also envisioned as a flexible environment for virtual conferences, exhibitions, demonstrations, educational presentations, and collaborative visualization.
These capabilities could provide opportunities for emergency management organizations, educational institutions, training providers, and community preparedness groups to meet, share information, demonstrate concepts, and collaborate in an interactive 3D environment.
Who Is Disaster Responder Simulator Being Developed For?
The intended audience includes individuals and organizations involved in emergency preparedness, disaster response, public safety, and community resilience.
Potential participants include:
- Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT).
- Emergency management professionals.
- First responders and public safety personnel.
- Fire service and rescue organizations.
- Search and rescue teams.
- Disaster relief and humanitarian response organizations.
- Emergency preparedness volunteers.
- Government agencies and community organizations.
- Schools, colleges, and educational institutions.
- Workplace emergency response teams.
- Disaster preparedness educators and training providers.
The platform is intended to encourage collaboration not only within individual teams but also between different organizations, agencies, and groups with an interest in disaster preparedness and emergency response.
Incident Command System (ICS) Training Expectations
Disaster Responder Simulator is being developed around the organizational principles and structure of the Incident Command System (ICS).
To help ensure that participants understand the fundamentals of incident organization, communications, coordination, and teamwork, some form of prior ICS training is expected for participation in the platform.
Recommended background includes:
- FEMA ICS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System. CERT Basic Training: Community Emergency Response Team foundational training.
- Equivalent or comparable ICS training received through an employer, school, government agency, or other organization.
Participants do not necessarily need to be professional first responders. Trained volunteers, community preparedness groups, and other individuals with appropriate ICS-related experience are also encouraged to express their interest.
Disaster Responder Simulator is intended to complement existing emergency management education, tabletop exercises, and practical training. It is not intended to replace official FEMA courses, recognized certifications, hands-on
To Apply for Beta Access:
Help Shape the Future of Disaster Responder Simulator
Disaster Responder Simulator is currently in development, and we are interested in hearing from individuals and organizations who would like to participate in its evolution.
We are inviting prospective beta participants to introduce themselves, share their experience, and tell us about their interests in disaster preparedness, emergency management, and virtual simulation.
The beta program is intended to provide an opportunity for participants to explore the platform as development progresses, evaluate capabilities as they become available, provide feedback, identify potential improvements, and contribute ideas for future development.
Disaster Responder Simulator is based on the Incident Command System. Participants in the platform need to have some form of ICS training. Ideally, CERT Basic Training, and/or FEMA ICS-100, or an equivalent/similar ICS training you’ve received through an employer, school campus, or organization.