Maximum Impact, Minimal Budget: Building Immersive MCI Training With Limited Resources

Immersive Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) training is essential for preparing first responders to operate effectively in high-stress, multi-victim environments—but it doesn’t have to break the bank. This presentation will explore practical strategies for developing high-impact, high-fidelity, low-cost immersive MCI training programs, using the Philadelphia Fire Department’s Disaster University as a scalable model. Attendees will learn how to leverage local partnerships, repurpose existing resources, and creatively simulate chaos using budget-friendly tools. From scene card development to emergency management coordination and grant opportunities, this session will provide a roadmap for agencies of any size to deliver realistic, repeatable, and mission-critical training experiences.