simulation photos on Flickr

The Red Cross regularly works with our partners in the community to make sure everyone is prepared for any type of disaster. On Nov. 1, 2025, your local Red Cross joined Southwest Airlines, BWI Airport, Anne Arundel County and the FBI, at BWI Airport, for a full-scale simulation exercise of a commercial airplane crash.

Red Cross volunteers specializing in disaster mental health, health services and spiritual care worked directly with actors portraying passengers and their families in a realistic scenario designed to test response capabilities.

After the initial simulation, participants moved to a separate room for additional scenario injects – unexpected developments introduced to challenge response plans – followed by a joint debrief to review successes, identify areas for improvement and outline key action items.

Volunteers played the central role during the hands-on exercise, while disaster leadership, including Division Disaster Director Adrian Grieve, Regional Disaster Officer Noé Hatchuel and Senior Disaster Program Manager Jenny Torner, were instrumental in the debrief and shaping next steps.

Photographs by: Scott Marder/American Red Cross

Simulation Exercise by WCL Environmental Law

AAA Multi-Disciplinary Simulation by The MCLI

Simulation RC by Anguilla Red Cross

Disaster Drill 2015

Simulation-219 by WAUSM

Simulation room by Launa Fauna

You wear this helmet and can interact with your invironment.

Board simulation 2015 by cibg.ceubusiness

Simulation Exercise by WCL Environmental Law

Simulation Lab by Drexel College of Nursing and Health Professions

Crisis Simulation by DU Internal Photos

Simulation by michaelz1

Poverty Simulation by Holy Family College 1935

In this poverty simulation, participants assume the roles of different families facing poverty. The task of the "families" is to provide for their basic necessities and shelter during the course of four 15 minute "weeks."

Simulation Theory by Ally Sacamano