FAST EMS

Bill Yager, the founder of FAST EMS has been providing all levels of emergency care training programs since 1980 when he first became an instructor for Toronto EMS through what was then called the Metro-Save-A-Life Program. Shortly after becoming an instructor with TEMS, Bill starting teaching for St. John Ambulance and Canadian Red Cross. He later went on to become an Instructor Trainer with Canadian Red Cross and Heart & Stroke Foundation.

Prior to starting FAST EMS, Bill had already been active in the Sports Medical and EMS fields.

Through the mid to late 70's, Bill founded the East York General Radio Emergency Service (EYGRES) and was a founding Director of the Ontario Search & Rescue Association. He also volunteered with the Scouts Canada Search & Rescue Team and the Canadian Red Cross Emergency Services.

His first professional involvement was at Maple Leaf Gardens in 1979 as an Emergency First Responder and later, an Athletic Therapist. For five years Bill managed the Gardens' First Aid Room/Hospital where he either provided or supervised all EMS services and worked closely with the teams' medical staff.

Bill has been very active with the Hockey Development Centre of Ontario as an instructor with their Hockey Trainers Certification Program, now a national program through Hockey Canada.

In 1985, Bill started volunteer work with Bolton District Ambulance Service as an Emergency Medical Responder for several years. He then devoted most of his time to building FAST EMS and teaching for various First Aid agencies.

From 1984 through to the end of 1989, Bill was the First Aid Program Instructor/Co-coordinator for the Toronto branch of the Red Cross.

After leaving the Red Cross, Bill joined Centennial College's School of Continniuing Education, Health Programs, where he started out as part time faculty and then remained as Program Manager until 1997.

In 1997 Bill decided that FAST EMS should start offering its own First Aid related programs and he began to expand beyond the Event EMS services which had first given FAST its stellar reputation.

Since that decision, FAST has been growing this area of service by aligning itself with Canadian and International Organizations specializing in program development in the emergency medical field.

FAST EMS continues to offer great value in Event EMS and Sports Medical Services. At the same time we are expanding our selection of basic and advanced First Aid programs to the general public, community and businesses.

Franziska Rüegger
Registrar and Marketing

Franziska was born and raised in Switzerland. She speaks English, German and French. She raised 4 children and ran a home daycare for 10 years. Franziska completed the Riverdale Community Business Centre's Start-Up training program.  After her Crowning Touch Consultant Course in Montreal she organized Fundraisers for 5 years for companies such as the YMCA, Variety Village, Girl Guides and Nellie's Woman Shelter etc.
For 5 years she drove a School bus for First Student Canada. She enjoyed the challenge, but missed the business setting. Franziska is very excited about returning to a business environment again. Franziska is expanding her business skills by attending sales and marketing courses. And will be working on developing new marketing initiatives for our company while taking the position as registrar. 
Her warmth and people skills will be a valued asset to our company.

After completing a Bachelor of Science degree, Jim spent most of his career working in corporate sales & marketing in various industries, including wireless communications, automotive, and commercial maintenance.

Feeling the need for a change after attending a Standard First Aid course, Jim went on to complete the instructor certification process with Toronto EMS First Aid and was accepted as a Preferred Instructor. His animated and entertaining teaching style made him a hit with students and he soon became sought after by other training agencies. Recognizing his potential, FAST approached him with an offer for a managerial position and he accepted.

Jim brings a wealth of experience to FAST both in First Aid instruction and business savvy. We are very happy to have him on board.

Our Instructors:

We have a dedicated team of  EMS educators with real world experience as our instructor base. All or our faculty have years of experience in teaching and emergency medical care.

We offer an ongoing professional development program for our staff and faculty to expand their ability to deliver the very best in EMS educational programs.  

Everyone at FAST EMS, has one goal: to deliver a high quality program that empowers the participant to make a difference in someone life.