March 5, 2026 – The U.S. Army National Guard, a component of the U.S. Army that provides domestic emergency response and federal support, has recently launched a nationwide tour featuring a mixed reality (MR) experience designed for high school students. The ‘Disasterville’ initiative utilizes hands-on simulations to demonstrate how National Guard personnel respond to natural disasters and domestic emergencies.
According to the organization, Disasterville features three 10-minute “immersive missions” that transform high school gyms into mission-oriented disaster zones. Students work in teams while wearing virtual reality (VR) headsets to complete specific objectives based on real-world scenarios, including:
- Wildfire: Teams work to extinguish fires encroaching on residential areas, rescue animals, and navigate hazards such as falling trees.
- Flood Zone: Participants use a virtual Zodiac boat to locate and evacuate survivors and avoid hazards following a hurricane.
- Earthquake: Students use specialized tools, such as the Jaws of Life, to rescue civilians and clear debris following a train derailment involving hazardous materials.
The program aims to provide students with an overview of, and highlight the skill sets required for disaster response. By participating in these high-tech missions, students are guided through simulations that require communication and problem-solving to address threats to communities and landscapes.
The Army National Guard added that the experiences give students a front-row seat to the role of National Guard personnel in disaster response “as the presence of natural disasters continues to rise in communities and around the country.”
Disasterville is scheduled to visit select high schools throughout February and March in Detroit, Michigan; Indianapolis, Indiana; and Omaha, Nebraska.
View the case study – https://www.groovejones.com/disasterville-mixed-reality-experience-army-national-guard
Original news article that appeared on Auganix.com – https://www.auganix.org/vr-news-us-army-national-guard-disasterville/
