About Us
About Rescue Canada
Rescue Canada was founded in 1988 by Jim Lavalley. In its first year, Rescue Canada became the Canadian agent for Rescue 3 International’s Swiftwater Rescue Technician (SRT) course developed by founder Jim Segerstrom.
Throughout the 90s, Rescue Canada expanded the original SRT program across the country and adapted it to fit the needs of the different sectors of the swift water industry.
Between 1992 and 1999, Rescue Canada was the first to formalize changes to the SRT course to specifically meet requirements for Professional River Guides. The company developed the Swift Water Boat Operations and Technician courses for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Rescue Canada courses have become the standard for many Federal, Provincial and Municipal Departments and University College Institutions across Canada. We developed a specialty course for the U.S. Secret Service. In 1999 Rescue Canada Resource Group Inc. became an independent rescue training organization. The company was the primary agent in Canada for Rescue 3 International for ten years.
Rescue Canada uses a research-based and industry-leading curriculum, providing the highest standard of training.
Jim Lavalley
Our fearless leader, Jim Lavalley founded Rescue Canada in 1988 and became the Canadian agent for Rescue 3 International’s Swiftwater Rescue Technician course. Jim is one of Canada’s leading lights in safety and rescue and an international court-recognized subject matter expert.
He continually strives to develop and provide research-based training and design innovative, industry-leading equipment for Force 6 Safety Products.
Jim holds a university degree in Resource Economics and Environmental Science and in the 1970s was a member of Canada’s National and Olympic bobsled teams.
2021 COMPANY MISSION AND VISION
GOALS
MOTTO
Our Staff
Jim Lavalley
Founder/CEO/Owner
Jim Lavalley
Founder/CEO/Owner
Sylvia Clarke
Administrative Coordinator
Sylvia Clarke
Administrative Coordinator
Shaun Croft
General Manager/Sales & Marketing Manager
Shaun Croft
General Manager/Sales & Marketing Manager
Christina (Christy) Hills
Human Resources/Administrative Assistant
Christina (Christy) Hills
Human Resources/Administrative Assistant
Michael Stegemann
Operations Manager/Helicopter Safety Instructor
Michael Stegemann
Operations Manager/Helicopter Safety Instructor
Kensey Matthews
Inside Sales
Kensey Matthews
Inside Sales
Logie McLagan
System Manager/Master Instructor
Logie McLagan
System Manager/Master Instructor
James Byrne
Equipment Technician
James Byrne
Equipment Technician
IN-HOUSE INSTRUCTORS
The Rescue Canada ‘In-house Instructorship’ is a training program designed for high-quality candidates regarding learning opportunities developed by Rescue Canada for internal public safety agency personnel training compliance.
There is an application for instructorship. Applicants must complete all phases of the vetting process to be able to participate. Once the instructor candidate completes all instruction steps, their instructorship license permits them to teach a Rescue Canada Stage 1 to Stage 3 training program.
The qualified instructor shall be able to provide their area of expertise course training standards and practices for the public safety agency they work or assigned to; for and in which they will be used for their qualification tenure.
Our courses are current, standardized, and focused on health and safety.
Rescue Canada created international and national standards that thousands of participants incorporate into their practices. We adhere to the highest training and instructional standards and possess subject matter expertise for successful learning and teaching experiences.
Some of the benefits of in-house training are:
- Personnel and public safety increase in operations, liability reduction for injuries/accidents
- Equipment maintenance and underway safety for boating
- Learn new leadership skills
- Better response to serve the public need
- Extensive savings on travel, lodging, meals, and other miscellaneous costs for external team qualification needs
- Customization to the specific needs of the organization
- Opportunity for follow-up after training for conformity and compliance of standards and safety alerts during instructorship
Our Instructors
Billy Harris
Instructor
Billy Harris
Instructor
Brenna Kelly
Swiftwater Rescue Instructor
Brenna Kelly
Swiftwater Rescue Instructor
Gord Bunston
Swiftwater, Boat, and Ice Rescue Instructor
Gord Bunston
Swiftwater, Boat, and Ice Rescue Instructor
Kyle Hale
Instructor
Kyle Hale
Instructor
Matt Cuccaro
Swiftwater/Boat/Ice Rescue Instructor
Matt Cuccaro
Swiftwater/Boat/Ice Rescue Instructor
Will Prehofer
Swiftwater Rescue Instructor
Will Prehofer
Swiftwater Rescue Instructor
Blair Doyle
Swiftwater Rescue Instructor
Blair Doyle
Swiftwater Rescue Instructor
Chris Armstrong
Swiftwater, Rope, and Ice Rescue Instructor
Chris Armstrong
Swiftwater, Rope, and Ice Rescue Instructor
Jamie Turko
Swiftwater Rescue Instructor
Jamie Turko
Swiftwater Rescue Instructor
Larry Obst
Swiftwater/Ice/Emergency Medical Care/Rope Rescue Instructor
Larry Obst
Swiftwater/Ice/Emergency Medical Care/Rope Rescue Instructor
Michael Stegemann
Operations Manager/Helicopter Safety Instructor
Michael Stegemann
Operations Manager/Helicopter Safety Instructor
Brian Bell
Swiftwater Rescue Instructor
Brian Bell
Swiftwater Rescue Instructor
Clayton Williams
Instructor
Clayton Williams
Instructor
John-Paul Kors
Swiftwater Rescue Instructor
John-Paul Kors
Swiftwater Rescue Instructor
Logie McLagan
System Manager/Master Instructor
Logie McLagan
System Manager/Master Instructor
Ursula Killbridge
Swiftwater Rescue Instructor
Ursula Killbridge
Swiftwater Rescue Instructor
Brain Valentine
Instructor
Brain Valentine
Instructor
Connor Martinet
Instructor
Connor Martinet
Instructor
Jonah Shaw
Swiftwater Rescue Instructor
Jonah Shaw
Swiftwater Rescue Instructor
Matt Kasunich
Instructor
Matt Kasunich
Instructor
Wayne Weis
Instructor
Wayne Weis
Instructor