Ever since he was a boy, Samael Tejada dreamed of being a firefighter. While working his way toward that ultimate goal, he discovered that he could make a difference helping others in a variety of ways.

To gain experience in the health and safety field, Samael trained to be a lifeguard/swim instructor at the Peter Blum YMCA of Boca Raton. He quickly worked his way up the ladder, becoming an aquatic supervisor responsible for overseeing and training a group of 35-45 lifeguards and swim instructors in CPR for the Professional Rescuer, AED, First-Aid, Oxygen Administration, life saving and other skills.

While working his way through EMT and the Fire Academy, Samael believes that his experience at the YMCA gave him the essential training and skills toward becoming a firefighter. His certifications include Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, Emergency Vehicle Operations, Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support, and Advanced Medical Life Support. Being hired by the City of Oakland Park Fire Department was the fulfillment of a dream, but Samael’s dreams grew bigger as he realized the increasing need for public awareness concerning health and safety.
The more he learned, the more he knew he needed to share his knowledge with others. Using his expertise, leadership skills, organizational abilities and commitment to helping others, Samael formed Rescue 101. As the sole founder/owner, Samael is passionate about making a difference by providing invaluable information, training and services to adequately prepare people for life’s inevitable, but often, preventable tragedies.

Through Rescue 101, Samael intends to address the importance of reducing injury and risk in the workplace and increasing awareness about the individual’s responsibility for their own health and safety. Programs including Lifeguard Training, CPR for the lay or professional rescuer, First Aid and knowledge and use of AEDs aim to accomplish this goal. “With the proper training in health and safety components, we can increase cardiac arrest survival percentages in the workplace and in the community,” he says.

Mauricio Gonzalez has 18 years of experience serving the South Florida community in the areas of safety and rescue. After coming to Florida in 1990 from Columbia, he began his health and safety career as a swimming instructor and lifeguard-training instructor for the City of Sunrise and Broward County Parks. He also worked as Ocean Rescue Personnel for more than 17 years and is also a certified Aquatics Facility Operator.

Mauricio continues to demonstrate his commitment to helping others as a firefighter/paramedic for the city of Oakland Park. His credentials include Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, Basic Trauma Life Support, Emergency Vehicle Operations, professional development in FEMA National Incident Management Systems.

Gonzalez uses his considerable skills and knowledge to provide safety education and training to others. “I feel I have the best of both worlds. I can save someone’s home that is on fire or someone’s life that is in danger, and as an instructor, I enjoy giving students the knowledge and skills they need.”

In addition to his work, Gonzalez is passionate about sports (both as a spectator and a participant), and enjoys working out. His primary passion is spending time with his family and friends.

With 35 years of experience in the education field as a high-school science teacher, dean, principal and varsity sports coach, and more than 57 years of aquatic experience, Noah Fields is a proven and popular safety and training instructor. Through the American Red Cross he is certified to teach water safety, lifeguard training and disease transmission prevention. He is also skilled in training others to be certified instructors for CPR, First Aid, AED and oxygen administration.

Among Noah’s unique, higher-level skills, are certifications in special needs fitness instruction through the National Parkinson’s Foundation, Multiple Sclerosis Association and Arthritis Foundation. He is also certified through the U.S. Water Fitness Association and YMCA as a Water Fitness Instructor.

Prior to moving to Florida in 1994, where he is currently a water aerobics and arthritis therapy instructor at the Boca Raton YMCA, Noah served as a Paramedic for New York State for 16 years. At age 72, he is in better shape than most of his students and loves teaching them what he knows.

Training others is a priority for Noah. His number one safety tip for people is “Always take care of number one. Don’t’ complicate the scene by becoming another victim.”

A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, with a degree in Environmental Geosciences, Tara Elizabeth Devine has studied and worked in the U.S. and abroad as a geologist, lifeguard, swim instructor, water safety instructor and personal trainer.

Through the American Red Cross, she has obtained numerous certifications, including Water Safety Instruction, Lifeguard Instruction, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, emergency oxygen administration, Bloodborne Pathogens Training and community first aid.

As an NSCA-certified personal trainer and an AFAA group exercise instructor, Tara is passionate about helping people push the boundaries of what they are capable of and coaching them into a safe and healthy lifestyle.

Tara’s firsthand experience with sudden tragedy is certainly a factor in her life and career goals. The value of public awareness and application of first aid skills sadly came at an early age. “In memory of a high school classmate who died during a school lacrosse scrimmage from cardiac arrest, I plan to promote the spread of AEDs and educate users on what to do in such an emergency.”