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Rarely is there just one right way to respond in an emergency. Everyone reacts a little differently during a crisis, but through our years of experience in law enforcement and EMS, we’ve seen some of the same poor reactions repeated in various traumatic events.
It’s amazing the things our brains will tell us (or fail to tell us) to do when we’re under stress. It’s no wonder that people freeze up when they should fight, or that they run away when they’re the only ones who can provide lifesaving medical care.
You can never truly be prepared for an active shooter event, but you can increase your likelihood of having an empowered response. Start by being aware of 5 of the most common mistakes people make under stress.
If you hear gunshots in your office or school, all you really know is that there is an active shooter present. Their location is undetermined, and that makes it difficult for you to determine what your next steps should be. If the shooter is right outside your classroom, then you should barricade the door and plan how to defend yourself with improvised weapons prior to finding an alternative exit. If the shooter is on the other side of the building, you may be able to safely exit the facility without being seen.
Are there cameras at your school, place of employment, or church? These could prove very helpful in determining a shooter’s location if such an event were to occur.
If you’ve seen the shooter, and you’re calling 911, do your best to provide a clear description of the suspect. Are they husky or skinny? Man or woman? Include the following information in your description:
Depending on the scenario, you may have the opportunity to take the weapon from the shooter. Once you do this successfully, what will you do next?
Many people’s first instinct would be to run — just run until you find a police officer that you can give the gun to. But there is a serious problem with that response. If members of law enforcement, who are looking for the active shooter suspect, see you running toward them with a gun, they may think that you are the shooter. This puts you at unnecessary risk.
There are countless things that you can do with a suspect’s weapon once you’ve acquired it. You have options — consider unloading it and sliding it out of reach, or even placing it into a trash can or other receptacle. Your priority is to ensure that the gunman is no longer a threat, and that you are not found holding the suspect weapon.
EMTs are used to walking into emergencies and dealing with all kinds of victims — some are in shock; others are facing life-threatening injuries. Responding to active shooter events is extremely challenging, and many times civilians’ reactions to traumatic events can make an already difficult situation almost unmanageable.
If you’ve taken on the role of first responder in an active shooter event, you’ll eventually let EMS take over. When they arrive, do your best to assist them as needed. Provide them with any information you think they may need to know, and answer any questions they have for you. They may ask you to continue providing medical care temporarily, or they may put you an ambulance and take you to the hospital. Either way, do your best to help without getting in the way.
When we think of mistakes, most of us think of doing something incorrectly; we rarely think of mistakes resulting from inaction. But if you talk to a police officer or an EMT, they’ll probably tell you that when it comes to emergency response, more mistakes are caused by failing to act than by taking action.
Instead of worrying about doing the wrong thing, the important thing is to just do something. Maybe it’s applying pressure to a severe bleeding wound, or perhaps it’s barricading the door of your conference room with bookshelves. Whatever it is, you have a role to play, and it’s not the role of a victim; it’s the role of a leader and a survivor.
For more information on learning to respond in active shooter events, contact ProActive Response Group and schedule an Active Shooter Training Class for you, your workplace, school, industrial facility, or place of worship. Click on the banner below to reach
Jim served as a Sheriff’s Deputy in Illinois for 30 years. During his time as a Deputy, Jim served on the SWAT team as an operator, team leader and Commander. Jim was involved in several barricaded gunman/hostage incidents as well as service of high risk arrest and search warrants.
Jim was a member of the US Marshals Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force where he performed surveillance and fugitive apprehension. His team was responsible for thousands of high risk felony fugitive arrests. Jim also served in the patrol division where he earned the rank of Sergeant and was responsible for patrol operations. Jim received numerous awards throughout his career to include Deputy of the Year, medal of valor and unit citation for SWAT operations.
Jim was a state certified CQB (Close Quarter Battle) SWAT instructor as well as an Active Shooter Response instructor, providing training for multiple law enforcement agencies throughout the state of Illinois.
I’m a proven leader with a diverse background in defense, law enforcement, and emergency response. My career began as a Scout Sniper in the U.S. Marine Corps, where I earned the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal. I then served as a security contractor in Afghanistan and Iraq, further developing my tactical and crisis management skills.
Domestically, I served as a Deputy for the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, earning a Medal of Valor, and as a firefighter, where I was awarded a Life Saving Ribbon. These roles reflect my commitment to safety and service, demonstrating leadership under pressure and a passion for protecting others.
As part of the Proactive Response Group Team, I design and deliver comprehensive medical training, developing lesson plans and conducting hands-on sessions. I ensure that participants are equipped with essential medical skills, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and readiness. My role is vital in preparing our team to handle medical emergencies confidently and competently.
Email: jpregel16@gmail.com
Phone: 720-382-3184
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-pregel-67765451/
Chris is a retired Major from the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office in South Carolina. Chris was third in command over operations, overseeing more than 300 sworn Deputies as well as all special teams within the Sheriff’s Office. In 2012, Chris helped to organize a Dignitary Protection Team within the Sheriff’s Office that assisted the Secret Service with Presidential and Vice Presidential visits throughout the state. In addition to his normal duties, Chris performs private security for dignitaries, celebrities, as well as 12 years with the Miss America Organization. Chris has been instructing Active shooter Response with ProActive Response Group since 2021.
In his down time, Chris enjoys time with his wife and daughter, as well as watching sports and fishing.
Email: ctaylor@proactiverg.com
Phone: 864-979-0978
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-taylor-331b00150/
Tyrie Fowler is an Active Shooter Response instructor at Proactive Response Group and an Emergency Medicine Trauma Nurse at Prisma Health in Greenville. A Greenville native, Tyrie earned his Exercise Science degree from the University of South Carolina and his nursing degree from Mary Black School of Nursing. He joined Greenville Health System in 2015, transitioning from Orthopedic Trauma to Emergency Medicine. At Prisma Health, a Level One Trauma Center, he is part of the Trauma Nurse Leader team, with training in Advanced Trauma Care (ATCN) and Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC). Tyrie is pursuing certifications in Emergency Nursing (CEN) and Trauma Certified Registered Nurse (TCRN).
Tyrie enjoys Fall for its long runs, college football (Go Gamecocks!), and hunting, including deer and quail. He also loves smoking recipes with a creative twist. As a medical instructor, Tyrie empowers bystanders to provide critical assistance in emergencies, teaching them to control bleeding and manage injuries, ensuring they leave his class confident in making a difference.
Steven J. Anderson is currently an Active Shooter Response Instructor for ProActive Response Group; he enjoys empowering people to survive in life threatening situations. Steve grew up in central Minnesota and spent three years with the United States Army. He graduated from St. Cloud State University with a degree in Criminal Justice. Steve worked as a federal agent for the United States Border Patrol where he was a member of the U.S. Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC): completing multiple assignments in Central & South America, an assignment with the United Nations and the Deputy Director (A) of the National Air Security Operation Center. In 2020 he retired from working in Federal Law Enforcement.
In his spare time he enjoys the outdoors especially bow hunting. Steve is a proud husband and father to 3 wonderful daughters.
Rob is originally from Louisville, CO. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 2003 and served as a Combat Engineer Officer until 2012. Rob deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2009 and 2010 where he planned and implemented force protection strategy, counter improvised explosive device operations, and mobility operations for Third Battalion Sixth Marine Regiment and Third Battalion Seventh Marine Regiment . Upon his departure from the military, Rob began to teach firearms and tactics with Arizona based Alpine Arms while simultaneously running his own small residential security consulting firm. Rob relocated the South Carolina in 2021 and joined ProActive Response Group in early 2023.
When not working Rob spends time with his wife Lindsey and son Theo. He enjoys stand up paddle boarding, visiting the rifle range, four wheeling, and camping.
Phone: 720-382-3184
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-christian-29579649/
Andy Sexton spent 12 years with the Greenville County Sheriff’s office in South Carolina, where he held the rank of Uniform Patrol Sergeant. His experience includes serving as an assistant SWAT team leader, involvement in high-risk incidents, including hostage rescues and the protection of dignitaries, working in criminal investigations (including armed robbery and homicide), and serving on the training committee for the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office.
