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FEMA-funded 'Disaster Hero' Educates Kids About Disaster Response

by Amar Toor on June 25, 2010 at 04:15 PM

FEMA's Disaster Hero Game
Considering the way it comprehensively screwed the pooch during Hurricane Katrina, FEMA probably isn't the first authority most of us would consult about competent disaster response tactics. But the federal agency, determined to make sure that its future iterations don't repeat the blunders of the last one, has decided to reach out to today's youth by funding a disaster-themed, educational video game.

In the online game, which should be released next year, players assume the titular role of 'Disaster Hero,' and go around preparing fictional households for a number of natural disasters, including earthquakes, floods, hurricanes and tornadoes. Tactically, 'Disaster Hero' consists of what Ars Technica calls a "mish-mash of genres," from time management to pop quizzes, and even features something called "simulation gameplay," which teaches players more practical skills, like how to apply pressure to stop a victim's bleeding.

"This project to develop an educational program for children using a game platform will be a unique approach to teaching kids to have an active role in home disaster planning," says Dr. Angela Gardner, President of the American College of Emergency Physicians, which spearheaded the project. We're pretty sure that, if given the choice of playing 'Disaster Hero' or sitting through a safety education class, any kid with a pulse would opt for a game. And, if they actually retain some of the life lessons that 'Disaster Hero' teaches, future generations of FEMA leaders might actually be effective. [From: ArsTechnica]

Tags: disaster, DisasterHero, education, EducationalGames, FEMA, health, safety, top, VideoGames

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