High Heels To Steel Toes
My name is Debbie Chene. I can trace my career aspirations back to my early years as a child in the suburbs of Toronto. Hearing that ambulance go by, I wanted to be a part of helping sick people get better and be that person who responds in life’s most critical moments. I wanted to be a paramedic.
But as with most of us, life took me in an entirely different direction. For me, that path took a grand detour starting very early in my life and put those thoughts on the back burner. After school and some part time jobs here and there, I finally found myself walking into an office in my shiny, new high heels at my first full-time job as a receptionist. I was determined to be successful and be the best receptionist that company had ever hired! That determination followed me throughout my career.
25 years or so later in the administrative world, I found myself in downtown Calgary – the corporate world, Executive Assistant to the CEO, with high demands and high stress. Did I feel accomplished? Was I as successful as I could be? Yes, I felt accomplished and yes, I felt successful. The downturn in Calgary sent many of us packing to look for new careers and new starts. So, where to now? Administration was all I knew.
Some months later, a tragic and unexpected event in my family lit a fire under that old childhood dream and led me down that path once again. The path to become a paramedic was still there, but could I possibly do that now? In mid-life? Back to school? Too old to learn something new, I thought. A very scary proposition.
There it began… heavy books, backpack, and good-bye, heels to hello, sensible shoes! I decided to follow that old path – It was neither smooth nor flat, in fact it was a grind. Not something I expected or even thought I was capable of.
Surprisingly, my extensive business experience helped me manage this new life of around the clock studying and stress. But it was a different kind of stress – “what if I fail?” Am I kidding myself? An entirely new career was ahead of me. I was surrounded by young students having the same aspirations I had at their age. It was so humbling – they taught me how to study again. Most inspiring to me was one young, extremely bright student name Devan. She taught me how to be “hip”, how to keep my studies focused and how to not fall apart and cry when I didn’t think I could get through it. But, I did.
Empowered by my classmates and instructors and my own personal motivation, I am now a registered Primary Care Paramedic. I currently work for Aaron Paramedical in Calgary as a PCP and am the owner of a safety company teaching on-site CPR and First Aid. Debco Safety — it has a certain ring to it.
Debco Safety Teaches Customized On-site First Aid/CPR Training.
Debco offers a robust program that ensures companies are getting quality training and at the same time, meet OHS guidelines. With years as a business professional, I understand how important time management is for everyone these days, so I created courses that are unique, very hands on, with real life scenario practice, while keeping everyone engaged in the training.
On-site training is cost effective and allows greater flexibility in group certifications as well as providing a great team building activity!
Debco Safety is a certified Red Cross Training Partner. All courses meet OHS regulations and provide participants with a 3-year certification. All equipment, including mannequins, training supplies, student booklets, and workbooks, are included. I will also prepare an agenda that meets your specific needs.
For more information on pricing and other courses, you can check out my website at: www.debcosafety.ca
Introductory Ad – Group Discounts Are Available!
A Few Testimonials
“We would like to thank Debbie for what I believe is one of the best real life First Aid Training/CPR courses I have ever taken in my 20+ years in the oil and gas sector.
Thank you Debbie, for your training expertise! Your course has given us both the basic skills and the confidence to potentially change the outcome of an unfortunate event.”
– Catapult Environmental Inc., Trevor T. Befus, Environmental and Regulatory Planner
“What a difference creativity makes! Employees were more engaged in the class and they all walked away feeling like they received quality training.“
– Blue-Con Excavating Ltd., Deb Parks, Office Manager
“Deb was able to bring first aid to life with great hands-on exercises!
– H2Safety Services Inc., Rob Carter, Training Specialist
She added humour and personal experience, making the two days a great investment for us all!”
Make It Your Next Team Building Event!
by Debbie Chene
www.debcosafety.ca
