Equipping & Empowering

Our Blog

Do Your Students Feel Safe at School?

Things that make students feel unsafe at school can range from bullying in the cafeteria to an unconcerned teacher in the classroom. In a world ...

READ MORE

4 Things Teachers Need to Know to Be Effective in an Active Shooter Situation

A school shooting — It’s every teacher’s worst nightmare. Yet, school shootings have become so common that teachers cannot help but wonder how they might ...

READ MORE

How Do I Make My School’s Active Shooter Drill a Positive Experience?

If you work for a school in the state of South Carolina, or you have a child who attends one, you are probably well aware ...

READ MORE

ProActive Response Group’s Training Program Achieves SLED-Curriculum-Compliance, First Organization in the State to Attain the Title

Greenville, SC April 11, 2019 – ProActive Response Group, a local organization that provides Active Shooter Response Training to schools, companies, religious establishments, and industrial ...

READ MORE

Beyond the Bleed: How to Spot and Treat Injuries When There’s No Bleeding

Stopping the bleed is essential to saving lives during an active shooter event or any other type of emergency. But bleeding isn’t the only sign ...

READ MORE

Debunking 4 Emergency Medical Treatment Myths

If you ever find yourself in an emergency situation, whether it’s an active shooter event at work or a car accident on the interstate, we ...

READ MORE

How should I respond to injuries if I encounter a car accident?

Many people go through their entire lives and never have to provide emergency medical treatment to save someone’s life. But what if tomorrow you’re driving ...

READ MORE

Best Practices of Tourniquet Application: Clearing Up the Confusion

Tourniquets like the CAT (Combat Application Tourniquet) have been around for decades, but the conception of tourniquet application was invented long before that. It’s no ...

READ MORE

Should Children’s Medical Injuries Be Treated Differently Than Adults?

It’s one thing to put a tourniquet on a 195-pound adult – it’s quite another to put a tourniquet on a child. Or is it? ...

READ MORE

When Every Second Counts.

Invest in an AED today.

Jim Tapscott

Instructor

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.

Jimmy Pregel

Medical Instructor

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.

Contact Information:

Email: jpregel16@gmail.com
Phone: 720-382-3184
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-pregel-67765451/

Chris Taylor

Instructor

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.

Contact Information:

Email: ctaylor@proactiverg.com
Phone: 864-979-0978
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-taylor-331b00150/

Tyrie Fowler

Instructor

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.

Contact Information:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyrie-fowler-3b56a125a/

Steven Anderson

Instructor

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.

Contact Information:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-anderson-6b3525196/

Rob Christian

Instructor, Sales

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.

Contact Information:

Phone: 720-382-3184
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-christian-29579649/

Blog

LET'S GET STARTED!

Founder

Chad Ayers

Chad Ayers served as Sheriff’s Deputy for Greenville County in South Carolina for 12 years. He has worked undercover in multiple state and federal investigations and in high-pressure environments, including active shooter events and hostage negotiations. Chad was a member of the SWAT team, where he served as assistant team leader and also assisted in the creation and implementation of the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office active shooter response program. Chad starred in season one of A&E TV’s Emmy-winning documentary LIVEPD and is a frequent guest commentator for FOX News, Law & Crime Network, and On Patrol Live.

Founder

Andy Sexton

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.