I was first exposed to Navy damage control training in an episode of "Real World/Road Rules Challenge" (don't judge) a decade ago. In the episode, teams had to seal leaking water pipes in a flooding mock-up of the interior of a naval ship. I find the idea of special buildings that realistically and physically simulate disasters fascinating.

These simulators are in the same vein as something you might find at Universal Studios. For example, the earthquake simulator that tears apart the subway station or the "Backdraft" movie simulator with explosions and crashing catwalks.

Another interesting Navy training structure is the submarine escape training tower (SETT). These towers are 100-feet deep, the tallest diving tanks in the world, and teach students how to escape from a disabled submarine while wearing special evacuation suits.

Additionally, firefighters have burn buildings and fake airplanes, while police officers have mock towns

In light of increases in natural disasters, perhaps more comprehensive disaster simulators for emergency responders are needed. As in Universal Studios, apartment buildings would collapse, reset, then collapse again; warehouse-sized neighborhoods would endlessly flood and drain; and hillside wildfires would light ablaze twice before lunch. Anyone willing to take up the challenge?