Our Principals

Technical Rescue Specialist Paul Sevcik started The Advanced Rescue Techniques school of Canada over 35 years ago as a division of Equinox Adventures.  Paul Sevcik is an expert in NFPA Technical Rescue systems, specializing in all forms of Rope Rescue, Tower Rescue, High Angle & Slope Rescue, Water Rescue, Flood Rescue, Swiftwater Rescue, Surface Water Rescue, River Rescue, Boat / watercraft Rescue, Ice Rescue and Confined Space Rescue amongst others.

​A highly successful and widely recognized authority for technical rescue in Canada. The majority of clients were the Fire Departments, Military, Police and other emergency services  and Health and Safety Organisations.

Gary Foo  is an NFPA 1041 Fire Service / Level Technical Rescue Instructor in several NFPA 1006 rescue disciplines.  He is also a United Kingdom DEFRA & United Nations INSARAG HUSAR rescue instructor and Team Leader.  Gary is a former Police Officer (with service in Canada & UK) & Police Instructor, a Disaster & Tactical Paramedic. 
 
He is the ‘SAR Chief’ of ERTSAR*  (LINK: ERT-SAR) & also a UN Disaster Response Search and Rescue Team USAR Leader & United Nations (UN) Civil-Military Coordinator. He is a University and College Lecturer, a published author & expert on Tech Rescue, Tactical & Medical matters.

* www.ERT-SAR.com  *The Emergency Response Team Search and Rescue a United Nations recognized Disaster Response Tech Rescue & Medical Team.

Gary Foo and Paul Sevcik doing Swiftwater Powerboating on the Ottawa River in Quebec. Circa 2008.

T H E   T E A M

Some of Our Specialists

JOSH FOO
Technical Rescue Instructor
Full Time Firefighter - Rescue
​ERTSAR - SAR Tech (D Squad)

DAMIAN CAMERON
Technical Rescue Instructor
​Full Time Firefighter - Rescue
ERT SAR - SAR Tech

JULIE GRAINGER
Tactical Medicine
​Full Time ACP Police & EMS Paramedic
​ERT SAR - Rescue Tech / Medic

More of our Specialists You May be Taught By

DAVE DIXON
Technical Rescue Instructor
Retired Full Time Firefighter

MARC DUBE
Technical Rescue Instructor
Full Time Firefighter - District Chief

TREVOR FUS
Technical Rescue Instructor
Full Time Firefighter

DAVE IVANKO
Technical Rescue Instructor
Full Time Firefighter / ERTSAR Rescue Tech

KRISTA SCHRAM
Firefighter and Technical Rescue Instructor
2Tinga Rescue Product Developer

ALAN BELL, QGM
Security Specialist
​UK Special Forces / 22 SAS

DR NIC SPARROW
Trauma Medicine
​Emergency & Critical Care Medicine

DR ROCCO LOMBARDI
Tactical Medicine
​Aviation & Emergency Medicine

JAMIE SHURR
Technical Rescue Instructor
Firefighter A/Capt / ERTSAR Rescue Tech

DOUG McKINNON
Technical Rescue Instructor
Full Time Firefighter / Chief of Training

PAUL TARSITANO
Tech Rescue, Wilderness & Medical
Full Time Paramedic & Instructor

LORNE BURNS
Tactical Medicine
​Full Time ACP Police & EMS Paramedic

STEVE JONES
First Aid & CPR
Red Cross & Tech Rescue Instructor

SHARON WOOTTON
Technical Rescue Instructor
Trained Firefighter / Outdoor Enthusiast

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Our Safe Approach

Safety is the number one priority next to learning and practicing an important skill. We run safe courses and create a culture of safety within them.  

We carry insurance and have trained and qualified experienced instructors.  We use TAP forms, safety plans & risk assessments for every course. Properly rated PPE and safety equipment is mandatory as well as the use of additional instructors when needed to maintain low instructor:student ratios. We have additional rescue / medical gear on site, safety spotters & RIC / RIT team & kit. We thoroughly evaluate every training rotation and ensure safety protocols are in place and mitigate or manage risk where ever possible.