AED Essentials

04/20/2026

We are proud to welcome Kathryn Meeker to the AED Essentials network!

Kathryn joins us as a Captain and EMS Coordinator with the Colona Fire Department, bringing a powerful combination of clinical expertise, leadership, and grant strategy that aligns directly with our mission to expand access to life-saving training and equipment.

With experience securing hundreds of thousands of dollars in grant funding, leading regional EMT education, and providing free CPR/AED training to her community, Kathryn embodies the kind of impact AED Essentials strives to support and scale.

Through this partnership, we look forward to working together to:
✔️ Expand CPR/AED education across communities
✔️ Support departments with funding and grant opportunities
✔️ Strengthen emergency response readiness

👏 Please join us in welcoming Kathryn to AED Essentials!

Contact us for more information:
Email: action@aedessentials.com
Tel: 815-874-3514

04/01/2026

Grant Writing Skills Workshop

Looking to strengthen your grant writing skills or learn how to get started? This hands-on workshop is designed to help you build practical strategies you can use right away.

Monday, April 27, 2026
6:00–9:00 PM (Doors open at 5:00 PM for networking & vendor displays)
Groves Incorporated
818 Trakk Lane, Woodstock, IL

Speaker: Chief Jeff Bryant – Amboy, IL Fire Protection District

During this session, you’ll cover:
✔️ Grant Writing 101
✔️ Narrative tips that get attention
✔️ Building strong cost-benefit justifications

Whether you're new to grant writing or looking to sharpen your approach, this is a great opportunity to learn, connect, and grow.

Bring a colleague and come ready to learn!
Refreshments will be provided
Live product demos from Dinges Fire Company

👉 Register now by scanning the QR code on the flyer!

03/23/2026

https://credsverse.com/credentials/d7879639-5ecf-47da-8bda-252c56677bd3

Follow this link to get more details about Simulation Education Foundations Micro Credential credential issued by UW Health to Chad Callison.

03/17/2026

"323%.

That’s how much reports of online grooming of minors increased between 2021 and 2023.

Most exploitation today doesn’t begin with force.
It often begins with a message… a comment… or someone pretending to care.

Young people deserve to understand how manipulation works online so they can recognize warning signs and protect themselves and their peers.

Education is one of the most powerful tools we have to prevent exploitation before it starts.

Equipping adults. Empowering youth. Ending exploitation.

Source: National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (CyberTipline Reports)"

03/15/2026

CPR & AED Training in Action!

We had a great time Thursday providing CPR and AED Certification training for some fantastic local providers. There’s nothing better than seeing community members come together to learn lifesaving skills that can truly make a difference when seconds matter.

And of course… everyone loves Vivian! 😊 She always brings great energy to every training and helps make learning engaging, practical, and even fun.
Thank you to everyone who joined us and took the time to invest in being prepared to save a life.

If your organization, workplace, or team is interested in CPR, AED, or emergency response training, we’d love to connect.

📩 Reach out to AED Essentials to schedule a training. Email us at Action@aedessentials.com or call (815) 874-3514.

03/05/2026

This week, AED Essentials hosted 50 local sixth graders to learn important life-saving skills, including Stop the Bleed, CPR, and basic triage.

Teaching young people how to respond in an emergency builds confidence, awareness, and compassion for helping others when it matters most.

Empowering the next generation of helpers — one life-saving skill at a time. ❤️

03/03/2026

Lives depend on preparation.

If you’ve trained with AED Essentials, purchased equipment, or worked with our team, would you consider leaving us a Google review? ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Your feedback helps other schools, businesses, churches, and fire departments feel confident choosing high-quality AED equipment and life-saving training.

Thank you for helping us build safer communities.

5.0 ⭐ · Emergency training school in Rockford, Illinois

03/01/2026

The Elburn Lions Club and Elburn Professional Firefighters Local 4749 are coming together to support Firefighter/Paramedic Zak Martinez, who was recently diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

Zak has proudly served the Elburn & Countryside Fire Protection District for four years and has been a full-time sworn firefighter/paramedic for the past two. Now it’s our turn to stand with him and his family.

📅 Saturday, April 25, 2026
🕑 Doors Open: 2:00 PM
🍽 Dinner: 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
📍 Elburn Lions Club — 500 Filmore St., Elburn, IL

🎟 Admission (includes dinner):
• $20 Adults (13+)
• $10 Children (4–12)
• Under 4 Free

This will be a family-friendly event with kids activities, live entertainment, raffles, auction items, and a 50/50 drawing — all to help support Zak during his fight.

You can purchase tickets online using the QR code on the flyer or at the door the day of the event.

Let’s show the strength of our community and rally around Zak and his family. Please share this post and help us pack the house for a great cause!

02/16/2026

Learn about AED Essentials – Rockford, IL

Founded in 2003, AED Essentials is a Rockford-based CPR & Emergency Training company dedicated to saving lives through education, preparation, and access to life-saving equipment. We specialize in CPR, First Aid, ACLS, PALS, PHTLS, and AED training, along with AED sales, service, and support for homes, businesses, and organizations.

Our founder—an experienced EMS provider and flight nurse—recognized a troubling pattern: many cardiac arrest victims received little or no CPR or AED intervention before emergency crews arrived. That insight became the driving force behind AED Essentials.

Our mission is to provide training and service to improve pre-hospital cardiac care in your home or business.

🎥 Video production by First-In Studios

Learn about AED Essentials located in Rockford, IL!AED Essentials is a Rockford based CPR & Emergency Training company that specializes in CPR, First Aid, AC...

02/16/2026

Get the Funding Your Department Deserves

At AED Essentials, we don’t just provide life-saving equipment—we help Fire and EMS departments across the country secure the funding they need to better serve their communities.

Whether you’re seeking support for:

- Equipment purchases

- Training and certifications

- Station improvements

- Recruitment and retention efforts

Our team will guide you through the grant process from start to finish, making it easier to turn opportunities into real results.

👉 Ready to take the next step?
Contact us to learn more or to host a FREE funding workshop at your department and start building a stronger, better-equipped future today. https://aedessentials.com/grant-writing/

City of Oglesby, Illinois, Utica Fire Protection District, Morris Fire & Rescue, Win-Bur-Sew Fire Protection District, Northwest Fire Protection District, North Boone District #3 Firefighters Association page, Deer Creek, IL Fire Department, West Suburban Fire District, North Park Fire Protection Dist. Dixon City Fire Department Hampshire Fire Protection District

02/16/2026

Free Grant Writing Workshop

Are you part of a Fire or EMS department and looking for funding support?

Join AED Essentials for a FREE Grant Writing Workshop designed to help you secure funding for equipment, training, station upgrades, and more.
📅 Friday, March 6
⏰ 1:00 – 3:30 PM
📍 WCTC – Room S208
800 Main St., Pewaukee, WI

Learn how to navigate the grant process from start to finish and get guidance from experts who support departments nationwide.

RSVP: lwelch3@wctc.edu
Please share with anyone who could benefit!