October 21, 2014By Lance Baily

Zero Hour: First Responder Disaster Training 'Serious Game' Now Free

free ems disaster response training

Just received word that Zero Hour: America’s Medic Disaster Response Training Video game has been released free for download (PC only)!

About Zero Hour:


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Released in May 2009, Zero Hour: America’s Medic is a first-person video game designed to train and exercise first responders to respond to mass casualty incidents such as earthquakes and terrorist attacks. Zero Hour was designed by George Washington University’s Office of Homeland Security and Virtual Heroes, Inc. on a grant from the Department of Homeland Security. Zero Hour is developed using Unreal Engine 3.

Zero Hour is intended for training and exercising of EMS response, but will also serve the EMS community as a recruiting tool. The scope of practice of the tools in the game are geared toward pre-hospital emergency medical service practitioners, especially paramedics.

Taking place in the fictional city of St. Lillo, the player begins each mission in an ambulance and receives calls from the EMS dispatcher. As the ambulance approaches the scene, the player sees the chaotic scene unfolding. The player chooses which equipment to bring and then acts in accordance with the unique requirements of the situation.


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About Virtual Heroes From Their Website:



Virtual Heroes creates blended learning courseware by combining educationally sound and scientifically validated approaches in a robust, proven, production process. We create interactive learning architectures and content based on interoperable industry system standards.

We focus on delivering content in three formats:

  • Simulations for Learning: Representations of real life that accurately demonstrate a physical or simulated process or phenomenon.
  • Serious Games: Game technology used for other than purely entertainment purposes including education, training, strategic messaging, mission planning and rehearsal, marketing, scientific visualization etc.
  • Virtual Worlds: Computer-based, simulated 3D environments intended for many users to inhabit and interact with via avatars.

Our Advanced Learning Technologies leverage simulation and digital game-based learning paradigms to accelerate learning, increase user proficiency and reduce training costs. Powered by the award-winning Unreal Technology, our applications provide self-paced learning and instructor facilitated team training via our browser based GO platform and mobile devices.

Products Available:

  • Skins: Critical Thinking Assessment, Prevention and Treatment
  • HumanSim: Blast Prehospital Disaster Triage
  • HumanSim: Sedation & Airway
  • HumanSim: Zero Hour
  • HumanSim: Biotech
  • HumanSim: Combat Medic
  • Medical Team-based Training
  • Other military, space and anatomy games also available

Train with Zero Hour for Free here and learn more about Virtual Heroes and their many other simulation training games here!


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