In 2005, Bruce Vincent started Brave Training Solutions to help fire service instructors deliver better presentations. He has more than 140 presentations on a range of topics, many costing less than $20 — 25 of those lesson presentations are specific to hazmat.
He started his EMS journey in 1972, with the American Red Cross Advanced First Aid, in the back of an ambulance. He worked his way up to president of the non-profit ambulance service, Bedford Rescue Squad where he served a decade. While in this organization he became an ARC CPR Instructor, EMT, and a scuba rescue instructor.
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While in this position he became a firefighter, and eventually a senior firefighter, where he served more than 28 years. Also there he received instructor ratings in EMS, firefighting and hazardous materials.
We sat down with Vincent to learn about his company.
What inspired your initial idea?
The training materials available did not meet my needs and I could not find what I wanted.
How did that idea evolve into what we see today?
From my mistakes I have. Involved into the quality I have today.
What did you learn from early failures?
Making sure that the information is up to date. Some of the people who assisted me gave me out of date materials.
What have you learned from taking your product into the hazmat market?
How dumb I was.
What has been the most profound story you have heard from a customer?
A recent customer purchased a Hazwoper presentation and the students wanted more, so she purchased my Hazmat Technician presentation.
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What’s the biggest misconception about Brave Training’s role in emergency response?
That I offer certification.
For a hazmat team, what’s the biggest barrier to entry into Brave Training?
Good question. I really do not know how to answer it.
What problem keeps you up at night?
How do I spread my time between creation of PowerPoints, marketing and home life.
What does the near-term future look like for your company?
Not much growth, since I am not spending time on marketing.
What does the long-term future look like for your company?
Hopefully, growth with me spending more time on marketing.
What’s your boldest prediction for Brave Training’s future role in hazmat and emergency response?
Better educated responders.
