Introduction:
As part of the postgraduate program Physiotherapy in Emergency, Disaster, and Humanitarian Action Contexts at the School of Health Sciences, a 24-hour post-earthquake simulation was conducted in collaboration with the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC), the Regional Civil Protection and Fire Department. This exercise, involving a simulated magnitude 7.9 earthquake and subsequent fires, aimed to prepare physiotherapists for real-world disaster scenarios. The simulation featured immersive contexts, such as a Zone of Concentration and Support to the Population (ZCAP) and an Emergency Medical Team (EMT) Type 2. Fifty-four undergraduate physiotherapy students acted as victims, with 23 providing feedback through a post-exercise questionnaire.

Objectives:
The study aimed to:
(1) evaluate the implementation of simulation-based training in physiotherapy postgraduate education,
(2) assess the realism of the exercise, and
(3) gather victim perceptions to refine future simulations.

Methods:
Participants were immersed in dynamic disaster scenarios requiring real-time decision-making, communication, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams. Post-simulation, undergraduate students acting as victims completed a structured questionnaire addressing realism, organization, and the impact of the exercise. Simultaneously, reflections from postgraduate participants highlighted key learnings and challenges.

Results:
- Victim Feedback: Among the 23 respondents, 88% rated the scenarios as highly realistic, citing the detailed injuries, high-pressure dynamics, and realistic ZCAP and EMT setups. 91% found the simulation well-organized, appreciating the clarity of communication between teams and the integration of Civil Protection and fire department protocols.
- Postgraduate Reflections: Key themes included the importance of clear communication under pressure, rapid adaptability to resource limitations, and effective triage in constrained settings. Challenges included managing rest periods and integrating external entities for greater realism.
- Learning Outcomes: The simulation improved participant confidence in handling trauma, respiratory, and musculoskeletal cases while emphasizing the role of physiotherapy in multidisciplinary emergency responses.

Conclusion:
This earthquake simulation demonstrated the efficacy of immersive learning in physiotherapy postgraduate training, enhancing both technical and non-technical skills. Feedback from victims and participants provided critical insights to refine future exercises.

Implications:
The integration of physiotherapists into disaster response teams is essential to multidisciplinary care. Continued collaboration with emergency services and iterative refinement of training scenarios will further prepare physiotherapists for these critical roles.

Keywords: Simulation-Based Learning, Physiotherapy Training, Disaster Response, Multidisciplinary Collaboration, Earthquake Simulation.