Testimonials

“As a fire service leader with over 25 years of experience including roles as a firefighter‑paramedic, emergency room paramedic, fire captain, and now Deputy Chief Medical Officer I have seen the evolving challenges that face today’s EMS professionals. Among the most alarming is the consistent rise in workplace violence directed at first responders. The Violent Encounter Survival Training (V.E.S.T.) program directly addresses this growing threat. I have personally reviewed the curriculum, observed its delivery, and spoken with participants from multiple agencies. It is clear that V.E.S.T. fills a critical training gap by offering practical, scenario‑based education in verbal de‑escalation, situational awareness, crisis response, and physical self‑protection techniques all grounded in real‑world EMS encounters. This program does not promote aggression or unnecessary force. Instead, it emphasizes safety, professionalism, and accountability. It prepares EMS personnel to make smart, split‑second decisions that protect both themselves and their patients. V.E.S.T. also appropriately covers legal considerations, including Missouri’s “Stand Your Ground” laws, and the importance of proper documentation following violent incidents. Too often, we hear from medics who feel ill‑equipped to handle combative patients relying on improvised or unsafe tactics out of desperation. V.E.S.T. offers them a better way: structured, evidence‑based techniques taught by a highly qualified instructor with firsthand experience in both emergency response and defensive tactics. In my professional opinion, V.E.S.T. should be a standard part of EMS training across the fire service. The mental, emotional, and physical safety of our first responders depends on it. I strongly support the program’s continued development and expansion and encourage departments throughout our region and beyond to consider its implementation.”

“Our firefighter/paramedics recently participated in the VEST self-defense training, and it was absolutely outstanding. The instructors were top‑notch—engaging, knowledgeable, and clearly experienced in what they were teaching. The content was superb and, unfortunately, incredibly necessary in today’s world where we too often face unpredictable and dangerous situations from the very people we’re trying to help. The didactic portion was impressively well‑structured—informative without being just another set of boring statistics. It was relevant, real, and thoughtfully delivered. But what really set the training apart was the hands‑on portion. Learning the concepts is one thing, but getting to put those skills into action, over and over again, is what truly drives it home and builds real confidence. We’re already counting down the days until Level 2 in December! I can’t recommend this training enough for anyone working in emergency services—fire, EMS, law enforcement. If you’re a first responder, regardless of your title, you need this training.”

“Having VEST First Responder was one of the best choices I have made as a Chief Medical Officer. With the rise in incidents against first responder safety, this program has proven to be very beneficial. Crews were given the latest information about successfully mitigating a difficult incident. While the classroom portion was necessary, the physical portion of the class really drove home the importance of crew safety. After all crews were trained, I felt a lot better about providing the best resources and training for the crews. To thank VEST for their assistance and education would be an understatement. I would definitely recommend VEST for any agency that has any concern about employee safety.”