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John Collie

Our company provides health and safety services and products to corporate and government organizations and consumers. Start today to save a life tomorrow.

Tell us about yourself?

I was a firefighter in Toronto for almost 20 years. I saw a need for the masses to be trained in CPR and first aid when we went to calls and witnessed too many people standing around a person with a medical emergency who didn’t know what to do.

If you could go back in time a year or two, what piece of advice would you give yourself?

Hire more people to help alleviate the workload of our team.

What problem does your business solve?

Saving lives and making sure businesses are compliant with health and safety regulations.

What is the inspiration behind your business?

We are the largest AED distributor in Canada, and last year alone, our life-saving units saved 29 lives in Canada! We are trying to deploy as many AEDs into communities, companies, homes, cottages, etc. and train as many people as we can to deal with medical emergencies so they can help when needed.

What is your magic sauce?

Our instructors are front-line professionals – medics, firefighters and nurses. Our material is custom printed for each individual client. We have a Forward Hearts Program. If a person is saved with our AED, they can donate an AED to a charitable or not-for-profit organization via our company. We have a global app that locates AEDs (CISALI – Citizens Save Lives).

What is the plan for the next 5 years? What do you want to achieve?

To get as many people trained in first aid and health and safety so there are fewer emergencies in workplaces and home settings. To get as many AEDs deployed in Canada as possible. For every minute a person is not defibrillated in a cardiac arrest, their chances decrease by 10 per cent. We need AEDs everywhere!

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced so far?

Currently, we have global supply issues, which are delaying the shipment of AEDs and, thus, creating large backorders. We need product. COVID-19 shut down our training department for some time, so we switched gears and provided rapid testing and vaccination clinics for our clients during the two-plus years when COVID-19 was prevalent.

How can people get involved?

Please contact us at www.info@rescue7.net or call 1-888-294-4208