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Healthcare workplace violence prevention and first responder de-escalation training

VEST First Responder delivers healthcare violence training, EMS violence prevention, and firefighter de‑escalation through realistic scenarios and simple, repeatable tactics your team can use the next day.

VEST First Responder background

Real training for real threats in the field

Violent.
Encounter.
Survival.
Training.

VEST equips EMS, fire, and healthcare personnel with the skills to de-escalate, defend, and document violent encounters. Our courses are scenario-driven, trauma-conscious, and built by a former educator, UFC fighter, and first responder who saw the critical gap in training firsthand.

Built by Experience. Driven by Need.
VEST was born from firsthand experience—where education, combat sports, and emergency service intersect.

A violent attack on a colleague—and a survey of unprepared crews—revealed a dangerous training gap in EMS and fire service response to violence.

Today, VEST delivers a structured, scenario-driven curriculum trusted by departments across St. Louis County.

The Problem We Can't Ignore
Workplace violence is not rare — it's routine for EMS and healthcare personnel.

Nearly 75% of all workplace assaults occur in healthcare and social service settings, with EMS often facing those threats alone — in homes, communities, and in transit.

EMS professionals are 22 times more likely to be injured by violence than workers in other fields. More than two-thirds of providers report being punched, scratched, spat at, or verbally abused in just the past year.

Despite the frequency, many providers report feeling unprepared and unsupported — lacking both the tools and the training to stay safe in the field.

Watch the Promo
A quick look at the people, purpose, and power behind VEST.

Video coming soon...

Explore Our Courses
Hands-on, progressive, and adaptable training designed to protect crews in the real world.
VEST Fire & EMS – Level I

VEST Fire & EMS – Level I

Verbal de-escalation, scene safety, and 8 physical techniques. Includes take-home protocol materials and post-course review resources.

Empower your team with VEST training.

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