The objectives should be driving the scenario. If your organization needs to test capabilities and objectives that would be better met by using a different scenario, please do so. The scenario provided by the exercise planning workgroup is meant to facilitate your exercise planning, but adherence to it is not intended to be an absolute requirement for participation in the exercise.

We would suggest that you click on the "How to Change the Scenario" document on the SWMHE Exercise Documents webpage, this gives a document-by-document list and page number for where each template would need to be edited to account for a scenario change.

​Why was this scenario chosen?

The chosen objectives and capabilities were selected by the exercise planning workgroup based on grant requirements, and then incorporated into the five year SWMHE Multi-Year Integrated Preparedness Plan (IPP)(Formerly MYTEP). Then, based on these objectives and capabilities, the exercise planning team selected a suggested scenario for each year that would focus on these objectives and capabilities.

For Each fiscal year, the scenario was chosen based on the selected objectives and capabilities from the IPP. As always, the exercise is objective-driven, and the scenario may be changed. The IPP can be accessed here (Click Here to go to the IPP page)

Scenarios were chosen by the planning workgroup that included subject matter experts from various fields and disciplines. The group incorporated objectives and capabilities that met grant requirements and applied them to the five-year SWMHE Multi-Year Integrated Preparedness Plan (IPP) (formerly MYTEP).

For each fiscal year, the scenario was chosen based on the selected objectives and capabilities from the IPP. As always, the exercise is objective-driven, and the scenario may be changed. The IPP can be accessed the SWMHE IPP webpage.

​All previous years’ scenario, objectives, and other documents are accessible by searching the SWMHE website or navigating to the templates area, scenario area, or objectives area. If there is a document that you need that is not listed, please contact the CDPH SWMHE team for further assistance.

Any scenario can be customized to fit the needs of your facility/agency/organization, depending on your knowledge of your local community. All exercises should be based on threats and hazards identified in your local risk assessment. If a suggested scenario is not applicable to your jurisdiction, or not conceived as a likely threat, it is recommended that you alter the scenario or create one that is more applicable.

If you are in a small community or rural jurisdiction, you may want to alter the scale of the incident. Instead of a large-scale pandemic, bioterror incident, or multi-site coordinated terrorist attack, you could replace it with a small number of cases of an emerging infectious disease, or an isolated attack in one area. You can scale the scenario up or down to fit your exercise capability.

If you are in a suburban community, you should consider the incorporation of jurisdictional lines into your scenario. Consider scenarios that may affect neighboring jurisdictions and overlap between your jurisdictional lines. How do commuters affect the scenario? Transportation corridors? Tourists?

In an urban setting, consider the geography and infrastructure involved in the scenario. Consider the "domino effect" that a seemingly isolated incident can have on multiple systems, transportation corridors, events, etc. Scale the scenario accordingly and include details on how the scenario is affecting other areas of your jurisdiction.