Meet our amazing team of Emergency Services Professionals (Medical & Fire, depending on training) - Talented, experienced, knowledgeable, Instructors, delivering interactive, fun courses.
"The best people, teaching your people, to be the best!"
At First For Safety Oxfordshire, ALL our fantastic instructors are
Emergency Services Professionals with years of experience.
We offer a wide range of affordable courses & services.
We deliver training across the whole of Oxfordshire: From Banbury to Didcot, Burford to Henley, & surrounding counties, we've got you covered. Get in touch today by completing our Contact Form
& we'll forward you our availability.
Drew Kamphuis – MD First For Safety Oxfordshire Ltd & qualified First Aid Trainer
My interest in first aid & life saving started when I was just 8 & entered a life saving competition at our local swimming pool. I realised from an early age that I was able to stay calm in stressful situations & excelled in the competition. At secondary school I took an option in First Aid Studies & also learnt first aid for my Duke of Edinburgh Award. After leaving school, I worked as a Life Guard around my studies before becoming a Police Officer (TVP). At 23 years of age I qualified as a Riot Squad Medic. After 5 years in the Police I fancied a change & joined Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue Service as an Operational Fire Fighter. In 2009 I became the first & to date, only female FF in OFRS to qualify & work on the Specialist Rescue Unit based in Kidlington.
After having our 2 beautiful children I was unable to work part-time as a FF so moved into the Ambulance Service working front line on emergency ambulances. For more than 27 years I’ve loved working in all 3 Emergency Services but especially enjoy working on Emergency Ambulances. We frequently work in partnership with my previous Police & Fire Service colleagues. It’s always lovely to see them. With regards to our Horse Rider Specific Emergency First Aid Course, I’m also qualified to BHSAI.
First aid/trauma qualifications & experience:
Current – 9 yrs Ambulance Service, Emergency Care Assistant (Assistant to Paramedics on Emergency Ambulances) – Trained in Basic Life Support, Airway management, Oxygen, Entonox, AED, Assisting with Advanced Life Support, Catastrophic Bleeds, Tourniquets & Clotting Agent, Immobilisation. Driving Emergency Vehicles.
14 yrs Operational Fire Fighter. (Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue Service)
3.5 yrs spent on Specialist Rescue Unit: Dealing with all complicated Road Traffic Collisions, multiple casualty/vehicle RTC’s, RTC’s involving HGV’s. Water Rescue including: Swift Water Rescue, Entrapment in Water Rescue ie vehicle, weirs etc. Rescues using Rigid Inflatable Boat. Ice Rescue. Line Rescue. Also trained in: Managing unconscious casualty in water. Confined Space Rescue, Collapsed Structure Rescue, Trench Collapse, Rescues using chain saws/disc cutters to release trapped casualties.
FPOS Intermediate Trained (First Person On Scene) x 2
Enhanced Trauma Trained (Drowning, Immersion Hypothermia, Suspension Trauma, Airways, Oxygen, Entonox, Catastrophic Bleeds, Tourniquets & Clotting Agent, Defibrillation, Casualty Immobilisation for suspected Spinal Injuries)
2010 Qualified as First Aid Instructor inc PTLLS (Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector)
2009 Qualified as Swift Water Rescue Technician.
2002 ITV Survivor, Series 2 Contestant (Drew Agger) An amazing experience where my First Aid Skills were put to use on several occasions!
5 yrs Police Officer & Riot Squad Medic. (Thames Valley Police)
Numerous First Aid at Work Re-qualifications.
Twice Qualified Pool Life Guard.
Recreational PADI Rescue Diver.
12 yrs Mummy x 2 – Professional kiss-it-all-betterer!
Nurse Amy - First Aid & Mental Health Trainer
Amy qualified as a paediatric nurse 23 years ago (respect!) and is incredibly passionate about her job and the roles she's had within. Currently Amy works as a school nurse during term time and at the JR hospital on the adolescent ward during the school holidays and weekends. Both roles are very different. Amy delivers both, accredited First Aid & Mental Health Training. Amy says, "I get so much from being able to support well children the community at school and not so well children in hospitals".
As a mum of 3 children, as well as a furry child, Amy's life, like so many of us, is bonkers busy! Yet somehow, she still finds time to teach First Aid for First For Safety Oxfordshire and she's brilliant at it with a natural ability to impart her vast knowledge with a friendly, engaging delivery. In Amy's words, "I love to find time for teaching first aid. Meeting new people and empowering them with new skills is wonderful and I’m delighted to be a part of the team!" Well, we're delighted to have you on the team!"
Paramedic Kate - First Aid Trainer
Introducing Paramedic Kate who joined the First For Safety Oxfordshire Team in early 2022. Kate's another of our very experienced Paramedics having been frontline Ambulance Service for 15 years. Prior to that, she worked in the Ambulance Control Room answering emergency calls. If Kate hasn't managed an emergency in person, she's dealt with it over the phone, a lady of multiple talents.
Kate's very family orientated, a proud aunty to twins and mummy to her furry baby Frank, a big boy Maine coon, likely the largest domestic cat you would have ever seen! Kate delivers both our accredited courses for businesses, schools & organisations, as well as our short, non accredited sessions. When Kate's not busy teaching or working ambulance shifts, she's nuts about anything Formula 1. We're talking proper spotter, (in a cool way) often off to races etc, there's nothing she doesn't know about the sport, it's very impressive. Like all our fabulous instructors, Kates's delivery is relaxed, hands-on, upbeat & fun & her jokes are equally as bad as the rest of ours. lol. Great to have you on the team Kate!
George - First Aid Trainer
Introducing our celebrity, & super awesome Instructor George, who delivers First Aid Training across Henley & the South, South East of Oxfordshire. George is a former Police Detective with 26 yrs experience in TVP & comes with yrs of First Aid experience under her belt, both as multiple qualifications & also practically administering first aid within her TVP career.
You may recognise George from Channel 4's Hunted series. Around filming, mentoring, public speaking & swimming/cardio instruction, George's busy as a School Governor & being a fab mum to her 2 children & several rescue pets. Don't be fooled by George's edited persona in Hunted. In reality, she's the most caring, kind-hearted person you could ever wish to know.
We're beyond delighted to have you on the First For Safety Oxfordshire Team George!
George covers Henley, Didcot, Wallingford, Benson, Twyford, Nettlebed, Sonning Common, Marlow, Wargrave, Peppard Common & nearby areas.
Paramedic Lizzie - First Aid Trainer
Meet Paramedic Lizzie - "I've always enjoyed working with people. At age 18 I joined TVP as a Special Constable (voluntary Police Officer) but I knew I didn't want to become a PC & at 21 yrs of age, decided to give the Ambulance Service a go, immediately realising it was my undiscovered passion! 12 years later & I still love it. I've done every patient-facing role within the service & am respectfully known as "Old School" Alongside my career as a Paramedic, I love being able to continue helping people by teaching first aid because I know firsthand the difference it makes! With 2 babies under my belt, a husband, cat & 2 dogs, we've had our fair share of first-aid emergencies over the years! It's great to be on the First For Safety Oxfordshire Team
Welcome Lizzie!!! We're all so happy to have you on the team!!
Paramedic Steph - First Aid Trainer
Steph has been in the ambulance service for over 10 years. She’s an experienced full time, serving paramedic as well as an experienced first aid instructor. Steph is our ‘sporty spice’ of the group and shames us all with her super fitness as a very keen and accomplished cyclist. Steph works alongside our other qualified first aid instructors in the delivery of our fantastic value, accredited first aid courses for businesses as well as short courses for the general public. She’s an awesome Instructor that will make your course up beat, interactive and fun. We love having smiley Steph on the First for Safety Oxfordshire team!
Director & Fire Officer Justin - Fire Safety Trainer, Fire Risk Assessor, Fire Door Inspector & First Aid Trainer
Justin's background is 22 years as a professional full time Fire Fighter with the Fire & Rescue Services. He started his fire service career in New Zealand, (his home land) in 2001 and transferred to the UK in 2007. Justin has first hand experience of administering first aid in hostile environments. Justin uses his amazing experience to deliver quality, realistic Fire Safety & First Aid Training, across Oxfordshire & the UK.
Justin’s extensive experience & qualifications include:
Current – Fire Service Officer & Ambulance Service Community First Responder. Trained in Basic Life Support including airway management, oxygen & AED.
2022 XACT SFJ L4 National Diploma in Fire Safety (Fire Inspectors)
2021 - BRE Fire Door Inspector Certificate
2020 - Forestry First Aid Instructor EFAW+F
2020 - First Aid Instructor -Nuco.
2016 - Level 3 Fire Safety Certificate.
2015 – Fire Service Co responders IEC course inc airway management, oxygen & AED.
2013 – First Person on Scene Intermediate qualified. (FPOSI)
2012 – Water Rescue Technician Instructor.
2012 – Emergency First Aid at Work qualified. (EFAW)
2012 – Preparing to Teach in the Life Long Learning Sector qualified. (PTLLS)
2010 – 2014 – Fire Service Training Instructor.
2009 – Managing Safety IOSH qualified.
2008 – South Central Ambulance Service Trauma Management Course.
2001 – 2007 Numerous NZ First Aid, trauma & AED re qualifications
PADI Rescue Diver qualified
13 years Daddy, professional kiss it all betterer!
Fire Fighter Adam - Fire Safety Training Manager & Trainer
Fire Fighter James - Fire Safety Trainer
Please welcome our latest member to the First For Safety Oxfordshire Team, brilliant Instructor & serving Fire Fighter James. James's background is initially in the armed forces where he served all over the world for more than 6 yrs, including the Falklands & Iraq. He then commenced his Fire Service career in a large Met Brigade, completing 9 years service before moving to Oxfordshire. Like all our brilliant serving Emergency Services Instructors, James delivers upbeat, dynamic Fire Safety Training using his extensive experience to enrich courses. He's a natural trainer, people can't help not to immediately warm to his friendly, relaxed disposition.
Outside of his Fire Service shifts and teaching Fire Safety courses with First For Safety Oxfordshire, Jame's passion is travel, his particular favorite destinations include South America, Asia & Australia. Super great to have you on board James, another asset to our team!
Fire Officer David - Fire Risk Assessor & Fire Safety Trainer
It's fabulous to have David on the team. He's both a qualified Fire Risk Assessor & Fire Safety Instructor. Here's what he has to say, "For the past 17 yrs, I've been extinguishing flames & tackling challenges as a dedicated member of the RAF Fire Service, rising through the ranks to become a Watch Manager.
2 yrs ago, I added another helmet to my collection, becoming Head of Fire Safety.
My love for rugby rivals my love for firefighting. Despite collecting 2 injuries (I prefer to call them 'battle scars'), I've been heavily involved in the sport. For 3 yrs I've been Chairman of Faringdon Rugby Club, where my biggest challenge is managing the post-match festivities. 😅 Additionally, I serve as the Logistics Manager for the RAF Vultures, proving that I can handle both a fire hose & a scrum with equal finesse.
Recently, I swapped my rugby boots for a whistle & clipboard as the U8s football coach for my son’s team. I quickly learned that coaching this age is a bit like herding cats, but with more goal celebrations!
I'm happily married & the proud father of 2. They keep my life as exciting & unpredictable as a last-minute rugby try, ensuring there's never a dull moment! I'm delighted to have joined the First For Safety Team & look forward to getting stuck into lots more Fire Risk Assessments & Fire Safety Training
Fire Fighter Dan - Fire Safety Trainer & Fire Door Inspector
Dan currently works full time as a Professional Fire Fighter within the Fire & Rescue Service. He started his fire service career in Oxford, in 2005. Dan has years of first hand experience of Fire Fighting and first aid in hostile environments.
Dan is a senior trainer & fire door inspector at First For Safety Oxfordshire, providing professional commercial fire safety training courses across Oxfordshire and surrounding counties.
Soldier Mehmet - Manual Handling Trainer
Meet lovely Mehmet, our most recent trainer to join the Team in Sept 2024 - Mehmet is a highly professional, friendly & supportive instructor specialising in L2 Manual Handling.
As a serving British Army Soldier of over 30 yrs, Mehmet will ensure to make your training upbeat, interactive & fun.
With all manner of safety qualifications under his belt, Mehmet's a very experienced & interesting
trainer with a vast amount of real-time, operational experience that allows him to reinforce the L2
Manual Handling syllabus
A former rugby player, Mehmet remains a bit nuts about rugby, which he coaches in his spare time. If
not coaching, he's watching rugby or thinking about it 😅 Around rugby he loves spending time with
his family & rugby mad sons. We're all thrilled to have you on board Mehmet!
Lolly - Head of Security
Lolly joined the First For Safety Oxfordshire Team back in 2019 as our Head of Security. Lolly doesn't mind people knowing that her start in life was a tough one when she was forced to survive on the streets of Romania. At just 2 months old Lolly was facing her first, bitter winter with no shelter or regular food. It's unlikely she would have survived.
Thankfully she was rescued by an amazing lady called Dalila Toma & received veterinary care, vaccinations, worming & a passport. At 5.5 months old Lolly bid a grateful farewell to Dalila & with the help of local hero, Pat Kelly, travelled overseas, all the way to West Oxfordshire to start her career as a Security Guard for First For Safety.
When off duty, Lolly loves eating, sleeping on her snuggly bed & taking regular exercise around our beautiful Oxfordshire Countryside. Lolly's a life-loving, super friendly 'people person' noted to greet everyone with a beautiful smile (unless you're a burglar - In which case, watch out!)
Our valued clients include
ADDRESS
First for Safety Oxfordshire Ltd
13 Church Rise,
Finstock,
Chipping Norton,
OX7 3DH
OPENING HOURS
Mon - Fri 09:00 to 17:30
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COMPANY INFORMATION
Company number: 11988291
VAT registration number: 433116335