About Us

ARC is an Ontario, Canada-based small business. We specialize in training for the lay and professional rescuer. Our services range from the simplest CPR courses to in-depth courses on medical response, on land and in the water. ARC has trained over 10,000 students, and hundreds of first responders, lifeguards and AED providers. What makes us special in the first aid training world is our emphasis on practical, realistic rescue skills.

Founded in 1989, ARC is owned and run by Jesse Beckow. Jesse holds A-EMCA certification, and graduated from Humber College's Paramedic program (then known as Ambulance & Emergency Care) in 1992. Besides being a Primary Care Paramedic, Jesse has 16 years of aquatic rescue experience, both in pools and waterfronts, and has been training first responders for over a decade.

Jesse holds Instructor-Trainer status with the ECSI, a North America-wide training agency run by the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) and the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS). He is also an instructor with several other Canadian and international training agencies, including the Life Saving Society and EMS First Aid. He serves on the First Aid Steering committee with EMS First Aid, and has served in the past on committees with the Heart & Stroke Foundation and Life Saving Society. These committees help set the standards for CPR and First Aid training in Ontario.

A pioneer of Toronto First Responder training, Jesse has taught for St. John Ambulance and several other National agencies for more than a decade. He designed and developed the first training program for the York University Student Emergency Response Team in 1993-94. Jesse has trained some of Ontario's top lifeguards.

Jesse is not the only resource at ARC. We only use senior instructors. Our first responder examiners are Paramedics and Instructor Trainers. Our first aid instructors are senior instructors and instructor-trainers with EMS First Aid and other national or international training agencies.

While primarily based in Ontario, Canada, ARC can certify across many countries. Canada, the United States and the British Commonwealth all recognize the certifications given by ARC. If you need a special form of training, we will develop a new, customized program for you. And we can come to you, wherever you are.

While most courses take place at the client's site, ARC holds classes at our facility in Toronto as well. Our facilities includes a classroom, kitchenette and limited parking. Kosher facilities are available. Some courses are open to the public, while others are restricted to a certain client.

ARC also provides many other services, including providing paramedics and lifeguards for special events, disaster planning and sales of first aid/medical response equipment.