About Us

What is Condition Red?

Condition Red, Inc. focuses on delivering the highest quality and most comprehensive training to our varied clientele. Composed of numerous experienced emergency medicine experts, Condition Red, Inc. provides training specializing in high risk, low resource medicine in austere, remote, and tactical environments.

Affectionately termed “The A.R.T. of Medicine™.” Established in 2009, Condition Red, Inc. has built an instructor cadre unmatched by any training establishment in the country.

Christopher Van Houten

Owner and Director of Training / Condition Red, Inc.

Chris is a nationally registered critical care paramedic with 25+ years of New York City Emergency Medical Service experience.

Chris served as Northeast (Region 1) faculty for the Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) program, the pre-hospital battlefield medicine course used by all branches of the U.S. military as well as NATO. He instructs TCCC (Tactical Combat Casualty Care) and TECC (Tactical Emergency Casualty Care) courses for local, municipal, and federal high-risk law enforcement teams, as well as branches of the Department of Defense. Part of his obligation as faculty for PHTLS and TCCC is providing oversight, instructor development, and training site evaluations.

Additionally, Chris provides instruction for new and re-certifying EMT’s and Paramedics. He is also responsible for delivering a Paramedic recertification course for the SOF community, specifically AFSW and NSW, as well as designing custom FMPs and PreDeployment Spinups. Additional instructor certifications include, but are not limited to, EVOC precision and performance driving, NAEMT PHTLS, AMLS & EMS Safety Programs, AHA BCLS, ACLS, PALS, and FEMA general topics instruction. He is also a contracted Wilderness Medicine Instructor.

Chris provides medical support for numerous local and federal law enforcement agencies. He is currently assisting in developing and delivering custom tactical and austere medical programs for the DoD, Law Enforcement, and EMS agencies that are in the process of developing and enhancing tactical medical response elements. Additionally, he has created “team medical support” training with occupational health components and extended care considerations.

Lastly, he remains an active pre-hospital clinician providing quality interfacility and 911 specific care.

Amanda Presnell

COO & Co-Owner / Condition Red, Inc.

Amanda Presnell is a former CIA Officer and is currently contracted with federal and state government service within the US military. While holding a Top Secret/SCI-Full Scope security clearance, she has been entrusted by the nations intelligence community proving her loyalty, trustworthiness and discretion.

Amanda has obtained the titles of senior leader, instructor, training officer, operations manager, project manager and various other positions during her career. Amanda has a Business Development, Marketing and Operations background with a passion for serving her community and country. She has been a fire fighter, police officer, and has served in the military for 13 years. She leads a women’s bible study and is an active member in her church.

What Are Our Students Saying?

"After having the opportunity to attend several of Chris' Condition Red classes and realizing that these expertly-crafted courses were filling a large gap in available medical training, I began evangelizing the quality of the courses and even worked with Chris to host a few courses in my local area. These classes were all well-received, and feedback was overwhelmingly positive from all sectors, including military, law enforcement, and civilian attendees. I think that everyone should be able to help others in traumatic situations, and I believe that the material that Chris is making available is the solution to getting started - literally, it can make the difference between life or death. I wholeheartedly recommend Condition Red as a provider of first-rate medical training."

"I highly recommend Condition Red...Chris was a great instructor - he is knowledgeable, helpful, and reliable. I appreciate his professionalism and assistance, and would encourage anyone to utilize his services in the future!"

"In 2010, I had the extraordinary opportunity to work directly with Chris. As the Training Coordinator for my department at the time, I contracted with Chris to come to Colorado to give a class on Tactical Combat Care, a skill sorely needed in the law enforcement community. Through his company, Condition Red, Inc., he came with a second instructor and put on a great presentation. Both Chris and his co-instructor provided timely, relevant, and interactive training, geared toward adult-based learning, that the officers could take to the field the next day and be effective. Chris was the consummate professional, has a gracious and approachable demeanor, and is a true servant to those serving on the front lines of policing and emergency services. I have zero reservations in recommending Chris as a training developer or instructor in this industry because I have full confidence that he will take on any project with same vigor and dedication that I observed in my interaction with him."