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Our Purpose

"Built for the people, by the people"

As our founder would often be heard saying, Respond1st LLC was built for the people, by the people! Our goal is to substantially increase the availability of layperson responders in neighborhoods, towns, counties, cities and regions. By empowering our students with new skills, expanded knowledge and renewed confidence, we are certain that we do our part in promoting a more positive and uplifting change in the communities we serve.

Our History

Created in March of 2017, the company was originally named Respond1st Health & Safety, LLC. Headquartered in Colonial Heights, Virginia, Respond1st LLC was owned and operated by a single owner. During this time, the company focused on providing training services for mostly volunteer agencies and small vocational organizations that provided training to EMTs and Paramedics in an attempt to offset the looming shortage of EMS professionals.

As time went on, demand for services grew dramatically receiving requests from across the general area. In 2021, the company partnered and added two additional owners & shortening our name to better reflect the company's purpose, mission & vision. In addition, Respond1st LLC outgrew its original location and secured our very first training facility, ultimately becoming the company it is today. 


To date, Respond1st LLC has trained and certified over 600 participants, issued more than 500 certifications and has working relationships with a growing number of individuals and small businesses across the region.


Our Mission & Vision

Mission

To create a community of responders through the application of skill, fortified with knowledge, thereby empowering ordinary people to do extraordinary things.

Vision

To become a trusted leader in the health and safety training industry promoting health awareness, emergency preparedness and life safety programs, projects and missions.

Our Team of
Training Professionals

With over 50 years of combined healthcare and pre-hospital experience, our team of talented professionals are well suited and vetted to provide dynamic training experiences, in and outside of the classroom. Meet the epic men and women of Respond1st!

Kenneth Evans, NREMT-I

Chief Executive Officer

Master Instructor

AHA Training Site Coordinator

AHA Training Faculty

Robert Sargent, EMT

Chief Administrative Officer

Senior Instructor

BLS Programs Training Coordinator

Site-Center Specialist

Dian Lezotte, NRP

Chief Operations Officer

Associate Instructor

ALS Programs Training Coordinator

Resource Specialist

Kayleigh Mullenix, EMT

Tailored Solutions Officer

Certified Instructor

Special Events Coordinator
Outreach Specialist

Dr. Annie Edwards, FNP-BC

Medical Oversight Coordinator

Specialty Faculty


Dr. Edwards partners with Respond1st LLC and provides direct oversight of our medical training programs along with released educators within applicable disciplines.

Community Outreach & Engagement at Respond1st

Interested in Respond1st participating in your next event? We can do that!

Visit Our Outreach Page