PLN-04 — Lesson 1 of 6
What Is PREP-CON?
Scale direction, structure, and the national/personal distinction
Lesson Objectives
- State the PREP-CON scale direction and what each end represents
- Distinguish what PREP-CON is from what it is not
- Explain the difference between the national PREP-CON baseline and your own personal level
Part A — Scale Direction & Structure
Five to one, and what drives it
PREP-CON runs 5 to 1. Level 5 — Blue Sky — is the steady, everyday baseline. Level 1 — Black Sky — is an active incident already underway. As the level descends, your posture escalates through triggers and actions you agreed to before the moment arrived.
| Element | Definition |
|---|---|
| Scale Direction | 5 = Blue Sky (steady baseline) → 1 = Black Sky (active incident). Lower number, higher urgency. |
| What It Drives | Pre-agreed triggers and actions — so you act on a plan, not on adrenaline. |
| Published | Daily, as a US-wide baseline, in every Daily Threat Report (DTR) cycle and on the FFTP home page. |
| Set Personally | Your own PREP-CON — informed by the national level, adjusted for your situation. |
Part B — What PREP-CON Is, and Is Not
Setting the boundaries of the framework
| PREP-CON IS | PREP-CON IS NOT |
|---|---|
| A preparedness posture scale — how ready you should be | A threat forecast or alert system |
| Tied to specific triggers and actions you set in advance | A substitute for your own situational awareness |
| Published daily as a US-wide baseline by FFTP | An estimate of classified government conditions |
| Yours to adjust upward for your local situation | A one-size-fits-all national prescription |
National baseline vs. personal level. FFTP publishes a PREP-CON level, but it’s a US-wide baseline — a floor, not a ceiling. Where you live, your sector, and your family situation all shift where you personally should be. Lesson 5 covers exactly how to localize it.
Knowledge Check
Which of the following correctly describes PREP-CON?
Knowledge Check
The national PREP-CON level published by FFTP functions as:
Related courses: COM-01 PACE Communications Planning • PLN-01 Community Situational Awareness • PLN-05 COMCON • SEC-02 OPSEC • INT-03 SALUTE & SPOT Reporting
| ← Lesson 0 |