About Us

For almost 10 years, Swift Response has been preparing the next generation of First Responders, and making high quality first aid training accessible to the general public.

We are a Canadian company based in Pickering Ontario, providing high quality, real-world training in First Aid, CPR/AED and Rescue.

We are a training partner of the Canadian Red Cross.

Who we are

Steve: Owner and Instructor

I have spent the past 20 years delving into what I enjoyed doing, and it eventually led me to the creation of Swift Response in 2017. I wanted to create a company where we live by a "train hard, fight easy" mentality, providing training that is in depth and hands on, giving students the knowledge and confidence to succeed.

This philosophy extends to instructors that work with Swift Response - they are highly experienced and passionate about providing real world training for real life situations.

Relevant industry experience/accomplishments:
I am a full time firefighter in the GTA, a military veteran, advanced first aid instructor trainer and rescue technician. I have experience as a paramedic, and as a health and safety manager in the construction industry.

Shannon: Office Manager and Instructor

I’ve had my First Responder certification for almost 20 years but I needed to do the upgrade to EMR. I completed my EMR with Swift Response in 2020, and afterwards I started volunteering before becoming an instructor in 2021. I really enjoyed the people and atmosphere, and how every day you are surrounded by actual first responders as well. Spending time with firefighters, paramedics, and those going into firefighting really helped me with networking and building relationships as well as constantly working on my own medical skills.

Relevant industry experience/accomplishments:

I began as a Certified Athletic Therapist in 2013 and worked my way to becoming a full time firefighter in 2021 with the City of Toronto.

Tyler: Professional Responder Instructor

I started teaching with Swift Response in 2018, I redid my EMR training and then just didn’t leave. I kept volunteering and became an instructor for the advanced courses. I like the environment, working with my friends and helping people reach their dreams of being emergency responders. It feels great being part of the change - building mutual respect between fire and paramedics, and helping people grow and step up their game.

Relevant industry experience/accomplishments:
I started teaching first aid in 2010, then I moved to Alberta and worked as a volunteer firefighter and as a medic in an industrial setting. When I came back to Ontario I joined a volunteer search and rescue team, and in 2022 I became a paramedic with the city of Toronto.

Eyglo: Professional Responder Instructor

I work full-time as a firefighter in the GTA and also as an associate fire instructor at various colleges. I bring frontline experience into every class, teaching students to stay calm, think clearly, and act with purpose under pressure. You may not stop an emergency from happening — but you can make someone’s worst day a lot better. Preparation turns panic into action.

I began teaching at Swift Response in 2020 and quickly realized how much I love it.

The team here is incredibly knowledgeable and share a deep passion for first aid, which I believe is so important. I love watching students walk into class unsure and leave with real confidence. There’s nothing better than seeing it finally click and knowing they’re leaving with skills that could truly help someone.

I try to keep my classes real, hands-on, and engaging, tying everything back to real-life experiences — because I believe that is what makes it stick for people.

Fun facts: I’m a twin, Icelandic, a regular on the soccer field, and fully convinced that cats make the best roommates.

Aaron: First Aid and Wilderness Instructor

I took a Wilderness First Aid course with Swift Response back in 2020, and soon after regularly volunteered my time with those classes. As an avid outdoorsman, both in a recreational sense as well as career, learning these skills and how to help others has tremendously boosted my confidence in working and adventuring remote areas. In 2025 I became a Standard First Aid instructor, Wilderness First Aid and Wilderness First Responder instructor. Through instructing with Swift Response, I've worked on building my public speaking voice and ability to break down complex topics into digestible material for participants. What I love most about my job though is the great people I get to work with and hearing all their wild stories from being in the bush to working professional responder jobs.

Relevant industry experience/accomplishments:
Leading teams of colleagues and volunteers on research expeditions in the field. Guiding trips in the Canadian Wilderness.

Mark: Professional Responder and Wilderness Instructor

I took the EMR program with Swift Response in December 2023. It was clear to me at that time that the company had a great culture due to the exceptional instructors who taught the class with patience and care. I knew this was a special group that I wanted to be a part of, and so I volunteered with the company in 2024 before officially coming on as an instructor at the beginning of 2025.

Relevant industry experience/accomplishments:

After getting my EMR certificate I've worked with odyssey event medical doing standby medical throughout 2024 and 2025. I continue to strive towards becoming a firefighter by adding various other courses that swift response offers to my resume, such as the operations ice rescue, psychological first aid and more.

Aundrea: Wilderness Instructor

I began instructing for Swift Response in 2023, focusing exclusively on Wilderness and Remote First Aid programs, including rescue-level Wilderness First Responder.

After working several years as a survival instructor and outdoor educator, I found that there was often a lack of attention given to medical emergencies, and more specifically, evidence-based treatment and preparation. Through extensive training and mentorship via the amazing Swift Response team, I was able to start teaching a more balanced, and medically-focused wilderness course, combining my own experience and teaching style. No slides. No videos. Just training in the outdoors with plenty of laughter, realism and the occasional cool bug fact!

Zack: Professional Responder Instructor

My journey in emergency services began in 2019 when I became EMR and First Aid certified. Over the past 5 years, I’ve taught these critical skills while working toward my goal of becoming a full-time firefighter, which I achieved in 2023.

Since joining Swift Response as an instructor in 2025, I've found immense satisfaction in sharing my real-world experiences and empowering students with the practical knowledge they need to excel as first responders.

Relevant industry experience/accomplishments: I am a full-time firefighter in the GTA, a role I’ve held since 2025. My career in fire services includes experience as a firefighter for the City of North Bay, as well as several years supporting the District of Nipissing’s volunteer fire department. Prior to municipal fire services, I spent six years as a Wildfire firefighter across Canada.

Jo: Professional Responder Instructor

EMR and SFA Instructor Jo

I completed my EMR in October of 2022 and began working with Swift Response in December. I loved how the instructors at Swift Response worked hard to help participants learn and succeed, I wanted to be part of that.

Relevant industry experience/accomplishments:
I am currently a full time firefighter, and prior to that I worked for 5 years as a registered nurse in the ICU.

Victoria: Vice President

My background is in video production, marketing, communications and leadership. I joined with Steve to launch Swift Response in 2017, and am supporting Swift Response in business growth, marketing, as well as handling the business administration.

I have also embraced my love of public speaking to become a First Aid Instructor, and Psychological First Aid Instructor.

Testimonials

If you would like to learn more about us and who we are as a company, why not hear it directly from our students: Check out our Google Reviews to see what our students say about us!