Today we’d like to introduce you to Kevin Wilson.
Hi Kevin, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
The idea for Rapid Rescue Edu began during my time working in Ukraine. As a Critical Care Paramedic, I was accustomed to operating in rural environments where resources were limited and adaptability was essential. In many situations, I had to rely on whatever was available to deliver care—experiences that reinforced the importance of practical skill, critical thinking, and confidence in high-pressure moments.
Along the way, I found myself naturally stepping into a teaching role. Colleagues frequently asked me to share knowledge and demonstrate techniques, and no matter where I worked—across different countries and organizations—I became someone others turned to for training. Over time, that encouragement grew into something more intentional. When I returned to Oregon, I noticed a clear gap in accessible, high-quality continuing education, especially in rural communities. That realization ultimately led me to launch Rapid Rescue Edu.
From the beginning, the mission was simple: provide meaningful, high-quality medical education for both EMS professionals and community members. I had taken countless courses myself, many of which felt surface-level and disconnected from real-world application. I wanted to build something different—something grounded in the understanding that medicine is a practice, not perfection. It’s about developing capability, confidence, and integrity, not just checking a box.
As the company grew, it naturally evolved beyond education alone. Rapid Rescue Edu became a hub—not just for students, but for instructors across the country looking for support, resources, and collaboration. At the same time, I continued to hear from community members who had faced emergencies and felt unprepared, or who simply couldn’t afford the training and equipment needed to respond effectively.
Today, that feedback has shaped a core part of what we do. We work to make both education and essential resources more accessible, offering reduced-cost materials and frequent training opportunities throughout the week. Our goal is to remove as many barriers as possible so more people can gain the skills and confidence to act when it matters most.
At its heart, Rapid Rescue Edu is about empowering people—whether they’re providers or everyday community members—to step in, take action, and ultimately help save lives.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like many small businesses, we faced significant challenges almost immediately. We officially opened our doors to students in January 2020—and by February, COVID-19 lockdowns had begun.
During that time, we had to adapt quickly. I personally screened calls and limited courses to only the most essential trainings—ACLS, PALS, and BLS—primarily for frontline healthcare workers. Class sizes were reduced to a maximum of three students, and we implemented strict screening protocols to help protect our community on the Oregon Coast, which at the time had not yet seen confirmed cases.
As restrictions eventually lifted, new obstacles emerged. A county-wide wildfire forced us to pause operations for nearly a month, followed shortly by a severe winter freeze that shut down the area for weeks. With power outages and unsafe conditions, even leaving home became a challenge. On top of that, we encountered multiple scam attempts targeting both our business and our distributors, creating additional financial and operational strain.
Despite these setbacks, each challenge became an opportunity to grow and refine how we operate. COVID, in particular, reshaped how we approached education. Even after restrictions eased, we chose to keep class sizes intentionally small—capped at six students—to maintain a high level of engagement and quality. Only this year have we expanded to eight students per course, despite having the capacity for more.
The wildfires also shifted our perspective, reinforcing the importance of local access to training. As a result, we began focusing more on developing instructors within their own communities, allowing us to expand our reach while strengthening local support networks.
Through every challenge, our focus has remained the same: adapt, improve, and continue delivering the highest quality education possible.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Rapid Rescue Edu, LLC is a U.S.-based training company focused on emergency medical education—especially CPR, first aid, and advanced life support certifications.
Overview:
Location: Newport, Oregon (605 SW Hurbert St, Suite 101)
Type: Private training provider (health & safety education)
Focus: Teaching lifesaving skills to both individuals and professionals
What We do:
Rapid Rescue Edu offers a wide range of certification and training programs for emergency response and healthcare skills, including:
CPR / AED / First Aid training
Basic Life Support (BLS)
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) courses
Wilderness first aid & trauma training
Active violence response training (AVIRT)
Bloodborne pathogen and safety courses
We provide:
Instructor-led classes (in-person)
Blended learning (online + skills sessions)
Fully online coursework
Our programs are used by:
Healthcare workers (nurses, EMTs, paramedics)
First responders and public safety personnel
Businesses needing OSHA/safety compliance training
Everyday individuals wanting certification or preparedness skills
Additional services
Instructor training programs (so others can teach CPR/BLS, etc.)
AED (defibrillator) sales and accessories
Corporate/group training options for workplaces
Reputation & experience
Reviews highlight knowledgeable instructors and supportive learning environments
The company emphasizes hands-on, practical training and real-world emergency readiness
Bottom line
Rapid Rescue Edu, LLC is essentially a specialized training provider for lifesaving skills, offering everything from basic CPR certification to advanced medical response courses. It serves both professionals and the general public, with a strong emphasis on practical, scenario-based learning.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
The owner is an avid Ukulele Player and enjoys using finger-style techniques to learn a variety of songs.
Pricing:
- First Aid & CPR/AED – $110
- CPR/AED/BLS- $70
- ACLS- $250
- PALS- $250
- AVIRT- $60
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.RapidRescueEdu.com
