Operational Planning
Develop a structured approach to planning operations in complex environments where information may be incomplete or constantly changing.
ITRA Technical Rescue Congress 2026
Operational Planning Complex & Volatile Settings
Learn operational planning and decision-making tools developed through real-world experience in complex and volatile environments, and put them into practice through a technical rescue scenario.
Workshop Organizer
CADUS e.V.
Delivered by Ruben Neugebauer, Head of Safety & Security at CADUS.
CADUS brings operational experience from complex and volatile environments where responders must make effective decisions under pressure and where mistakes may have significant consequences.
The workshop introduces planning and decision-making tools developed from field experience in environments including Gaza, Sudan and Ukraine, and explores how these principles can be applied to increasingly complex technical rescue operations.
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About the Workshop
Plan. Decide. Adapt.
Technical rescue operations are becoming increasingly complex and dynamic. This workshop introduces structured tools that help responders plan operations, manage uncertainty and make effective decisions when conditions change rapidly.
Decision-Making
Explore practical tools to support efficient decision-making under pressure and operational uncertainty.
Risk & Contingency
Identify dynamic threats, manage operational risk and build contingency planning into the response.
Crew Resource Management
Understand how communication, teamwork and resource management contribute to safer and more effective operational decisions.
Operational Tools
BE CORRECT & SMART.
The workshop introduces two structured tools designed to support operational planning and decision-making in complex and dynamic settings.
Participants will learn the theory behind the tools, understand their relationship with Crew Resource Management and explore how they can be integrated into everyday technical rescue operations.
Planning Tool
BE CORRECT
Decision Support
SMART
Human Factors
Crew Resource Management
Operational Context
Complex & Dynamic Environments
Workshop Format
Theory that moves directly into practice.
The workshop combines a focused theoretical introduction with a scenario-based practical exercise.
Participants will first be introduced to the planning and decision-making tools before applying them to a technical rescue scenario involving complex and changing operational conditions.
The exercise is designed to place teams under controlled decision-making pressure and encourage them to plan, reassess and adapt as the scenario evolves.
Ideal Duration
3 hours
Adaptable Duration
2–2.5 hours
Group Size
Approx. 15 participants
Level
No previous experience required
Workshop Lead
Ruben Neugebauer
Scenario-Based Exercise
Make decisions when the situation keeps changing.
Participants will work together through a technical rescue scenario designed to test planning, communication and decision-making in a complex and dynamic environment.
Operational Planning
Develop an initial plan based on available information, resources and operational priorities.
Decision Under Pressure
Respond to changing information and make timely decisions as the situation develops.
Risk Management
Identify changing threats and continuously reassess the balance between operational objectives and responder safety.
Contingency Planning
Anticipate possible developments and prepare alternative courses of action before they become necessary.
Participant Information
Open to all technical rescue backgrounds.
No previous experience with the CADUS planning tools is required.
The multidisciplinary nature of the workshop makes it suitable for rescuers, instructors, team leaders and operational personnel from different technical rescue disciplines.
Previous Experience
Not required
Mandatory PPE
No specific PPE required
Workshop Equipment
Provided by CADUS
Format
Multidisciplinary
Operational Environment
Complexity without unnecessary exposure.
The workshop focuses on managing complex and dynamic threats through planning and decision-making.
The scenario is designed as a controlled training environment where participants can explore operational uncertainty, changing conditions and decision-making without unnecessary exposure to physical hazards.
Main Challenge
Complex & dynamic threats
Activities
Operational planning
Scenario Elements
Medical simulation
Risk Assessment
No specific assessment required
Workshop Location
Outside Academy
Porto Metropolitan Area, Portugal
The workshop will take place at Outside Academy, official Host of the ITRA Technical Rescue Congress 2026.
View on Map
Outside Academy
Porto Metropolitan Area
41.15325, -8.54402
Workshop Availability
Available during three confirmed rotation periods.
Sunday afternoon and Tuesday afternoon remain subject to the workshop team's travel arrangements.
Workshop Team
Led by Ruben Neugebauer.
Ruben Neugebauer will lead the workshop as Head of Safety & Security at CADUS.
Additional workshop team members will be confirmed by CADUS.
Workshop Lead
Ruben Neugebauer
Position
Head of Safety & Security
Organization
CADUS e.V.
Additional Team
To be confirmed
ITRA Technical Rescue Congress 2026
Plan. Decide. Adapt.
Develop the decision-making skills needed when technical rescue operations become complex, uncertain and dynamic.