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Situational awareness is important for everyone — every teacher, student, working professional, church attendee, and stay-at-home parent. Granted, it’s unrealistic, and arguably unnecessary, for civilians to maintain the same level of acute awareness as people whose livelihoods are based around it. Imagine how exhausting it would be to remain on high alert 24/7, not to mention how much it would exhaust the people around us as well!
U.S. Marine Jeff Cooper developed the Color Code concept to identify different levels of situational awareness and to help people understand how to act as someone who is situationally aware.
Practical and straightforward, the Color Code is still taught to law enforcement officers today. Let’s take a look at it from a civilian perspective…
The White Zone is the zone you want to avoid. It’s when you’re on autopilot, going about your daily activities without paying much attention to anyone or anything around you. This is the zone kids often live in. They try to run across the road without looking, and unless told otherwise, they would gladly take candy from a stranger.
As adults, we like to think that we’re much more aware than this, but sometimes we are as oblivious as a four-year-old running through a parking lot. We stare at our phones while we cross the street or when we’re stopped at an intersection. We’re too quickly rushing from one thing to the next to even notice the people we’re brushing shoulders with at the mall, church, work, or school. The White Zone always feels safe, but in reality, it is quite the opposite.
The Yellow Zone is the sweet spot. This is when you notice your surroundings and exercise the basic practices of people who are situationally aware while remaining relaxed. You may notice the things around you with Jason-Bourne-like precision, but no one around you is consciously aware that you’re noticing things. You’re not panicked or on edge. You’re still going about your routine, but you’re making mental notes along the way.
The art of finding and staying in the Yellow Zone takes practice, but it starts with simple things like putting your phone away and paying attention to people’s body language. When you’re in the Yellow Zone, you’re able to spot potential threats, and the only reason you should leave this zone is if you do notice something that appears to be out of the ordinary.
Let’s say you’re out for a run, and you notice a large white van parked alongside the gravel road ahead. This is the section of your running route that is usually unpopulated and you become instantly suspicious.
Congratulations, you’ve entered the Orange Zone.
Now you’re trying to gather more information about the scene. You slow your steps to give yourself more time to take it in and evaluate the threat, if any. You become hyper aware of the sounds around you as you listen for other approaching vehicles or people. You also hear that the van ahead is running, and you see someone in the driver’s seat.
Still, this is not necessarily a threat. It’s just something that isn’t the same as your usual routine.
The Orange Zone is the planning zone. It’s when you not only notice and analyze threats, but also when you start planning how you would react if there is an actual threat. Instead of trying to come up with a plan of defense, should this situation go south, you instead decide to cut your run short. You turn around and head back the way you came.
Once you’re about a quarter mile from the van, you move back into the Yellow Zone. Moving between the Yellow and Orange Zones is something you may find yourself doing dozens of times a day, and that’s not a bad thing.
It’s just as important to practice moving from Yellow to Orange as it is moving from Orange back to Yellow. In other words, you need to be able to relax as quickly as you were able to react.
You’re in the Red Zone when you’re faced with an obvious threat. For example, if the driver of the van had pulled out a gun and pointed it in your direction, or if someone had attacked you, you would be in the Red Zone.
As long as you’ve been gradually moving through the zones, then you should have a planned reaction when a threat becomes obvious. Typically, the people who freeze in emergency situations are the ones who were abruptly forced out of the White Zone and into the Red Zone.
In our Active Shooter Response Training Classes and Situational Awareness Seminars, we challenge attendees to think through each of the color codes and coach them on having an appropriate and effective response in each one. Click on the banner below to learn more about our Active Shooter Response Training, or schedule a class on our website!
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.
