About the Owners: Tukz and Carrie Taaca
Q&A With the Owners at Safety First CPR
Q: What made you decide to get started in the field of safety training? Was there a specific event in your life that created an interest?
Tukz: Actually, my safety training started by a question by a former high school buddy. I was working at Subway at the time and we were talking about work and he said, “Hey, I work as a lifeguard. Are you interested?” The rest is history. I started as a lifeguard and that led to a 20-year career in Aquatics Safety, which led to me teaching Lifeguard Certification Courses, CPR and Basic First Aid.
Q: What do you find most rewarding about the training you do?
Tukz: The most rewarding part of training is when the students in the class “get it”. They understand the material, apply it, and are successful. That’s the litmus test. The smiles on their faces says it all.
Carrie: We have had a few occasions when past students have informed us that they ended up using what they learned to save a life. THAT is the most rewarding for me, as I am mostly behind the scenes and not in the classroom with the students as often as Tukz and the other instructors.
Q: How did you get started with the self-defense training for women and girls?
Carrie: It was something I really wanted to be able to offer since I know how important it is in today’s crazy world, but it wasn’t our specialty to teach. So I asked a law enforcement officer at our church if he would be interested in partnering with us for this or knew someone who would. He referred me to Paradigm Tactical Training Group (who are also law enforcement SWAT Team officers full-time) and they have been working with us for over 10 years now so that we can offer periodic self-defense courses for women and teen girls and also now youth, as well.
Q: How old do you recommend children should be when they have their first swimming lesson?
Tukz: As early as possible. But, around 2-3 years of age is appropriate. They are introduced to water safety. For our lessons, we work with ages 3 and older.
Q: How did you learn to swim?
Tukz: Honestly, I don’t remember. I do remember the fun I had with my Dad while swimming at around age 5.
Q: What makes Safety First different from other local safety companies?
Carrie: We really do have heart, no pun intended! We are a true Mom and Pop shop and when you contact us, you talk to me, and I am very personable and easy to work with. You don’t get tossed around to multiple people and you don’t have to wait long for my reply after you send an email or leave a message. We also have some longevity in Northeast Florida, having been doing this since 2011. We have established a good reputation as a company who offers excellent training, has good pricing and is easy to work with. Other perks: we come to your location, offer group discounts, offer both blended learning (online + classroom) and traditional class formats, customize your training according to what your group needs and have flexible availability.
Q: What future plans do you have for Safety First Jax?
Tukz: Be great at what we do. We have a variety of classes because there is a need and Safety First is one of the few local safety companies that can provide all that we do.
Areas of expertise:
American Safety & Health Institute Training Center (CPR, Basic First Aid, Babysitting Safety, Bloodborne Pathogens), Women & Teen Girls Self Defense and Youth Safety courses (partnership w/ Paradigm Tactical Training), Aquatic Consulting and Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor / Water Safety Instructor.
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Safety First CPR & Safety
Call: 904.434.6032