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Emergency Incidents - Scenario Development & Training Toolkit

Written by Brendan Guiney | Feb 6, 2026 3:32:49 AM

New Scenario Development & Training Toolkit

On behalf of the NSW Water Directorate, I am pleased to announce the release of two new resources to support Local Water Utilities (LWUs) in preparing for emergency incidents: the Scenario Exercise Guide and Example Scenario and Inputs. 

This work was developed by the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water's Local Water Utilities branch as a part of their Advanced Operational Support program

Developed to assist councils in strengthening operational readiness, these resources provide a structured framework for planning and running desktop-based training exercises that simulate a range of emergency scenarios.

Designed to be used together, the materials are practical, customisable, and aligned with best-practice emergency planning principles.

What's included?

Incident & Emergency Scenario Exercise Guide

A comprehensive template that outlines how to plan, deliver, and evaluate emergency exercises. It includes guidance on risk management and evaluation tools to support continuous improvement.

Incident & Emergency Example Scenarios and Inputs

A library of example scenarios to be used in conjunction with the Exercise Guide.

These are tailored for LWUs and include:

  • Low chlorine residual incident
  • Bushfire impact on catchment
  • High turbidity and boil water advisory
  • Storm-related telemetry and resulting chlorination failure
  • Dam safety and flooding emergency

Each scenario includes background context, exercise aims and objectives, scope, related documents, participating organisations, and suggested injects to simulate real-world challenges.

Why use these resources?

These tools are designed to:

  • Support LWUs in meeting regulatory and operational expectations
  • Build staff confidence and capability in emergency response
  • Strengthen interagency coordination and communication
  • Provide a consistent approach to scenario planning across councils

Accessing these resources

Download the Guide and Scenario Examples.

Councils are encouraged to incorporate these resources into their training programs and share feedback to support ongoing sector development.