About Us

Founded in 1988 by Jim Lavalley

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.

FOUNDER

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.

MISSION STATEMENT

2021 COMPANY MISSION AND VISION

Train the highest respected responders and enthusiasts using the right equipment, cause no harm to others, the environment or ourselves, promote excellence through a commitment to exceed health and safety standards from exceptional qualified and competent instructors and inspire the next generation.

GOALS

Lead the industry as a trusted and reliable partner; our continued success is measured by values created for our clients and those they serve.

MOTTO

Be Competent, Be Qualified, Be Ready
Careers

Where Your Talents Meet Our Opportunities

Our Staff

Jim Lavalley

Founder/CEO/Owner

Sylvia Clarke

Administrative Coordinator

Shaun Croft

General Manager/Sales & Marketing Manager

Christina (Christy) Hills

Human Resources/Administrative Assistant

Michael Stegemann

Operations Manager/Helicopter Safety Instructor

Kensey Matthews

Inside Sales

Logie McLagan

System Manager/Master Instructor

James Byrne

Equipment Technician

Rescue Canada In-House Instructorship Program

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:

Our Instructors

Billy Harris

Instructor

Brenna Kelly

Swiftwater Rescue Instructor

Gord Bunston

Swiftwater, Boat, and Ice Rescue Instructor

Kyle Hale

Instructor

Matt Cuccaro

Swiftwater/Boat/Ice Rescue Instructor

Will Prehofer

Swiftwater Rescue Instructor

Blair Doyle

Swiftwater Rescue Instructor

Chris Armstrong

Swiftwater, Rope, and Ice Rescue Instructor

Jamie Turko

Swiftwater Rescue Instructor

Larry Obst

Swiftwater/Ice/Emergency Medical Care/Rope Rescue Instructor

Michael Stegemann

Operations Manager/Helicopter Safety Instructor

Brian Bell

Swiftwater Rescue Instructor

John-Paul Kors

Swiftwater Rescue Instructor

Logie McLagan

System Manager/Master Instructor

Ursula Killbridge

Swiftwater Rescue Instructor

Jonah Shaw

Swiftwater Rescue Instructor

Wayne Weis

Instructor

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