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About Us

Chicago's Trusted CPR Training—Done Right

Chicago's Trusted CPR Certification Provider

We train everyday people and professionals how to respond confidently in real emergencies—not just pass a class.

Taught by certified first responders with real-world experience.

Why We Do This

Real Training for Real Emergencies

Our instructors are real first responders—paramedics, ER professionals, and nurses—who train you for real emergencies, not just a test.

Learn simple, hands-on skills you can use when it matters most.

50,000+
Students Certified
15+
Years in Chicago
100%
Pass Rate
5
Chicago Locations
CPR training class
CPR certification
AHA Certified Training Site
American Heart Association — Official Provider

Trusted Growth

15+ Years of Training Chicago to Save Lives

2009
Founded in Chicago
We started with one goal: make CPR training simple and accessible.
2012
AHA Certified Training Site
We became an official AHA Certified Training Site.
2015
Corporate Training Expansion
We expanded on-site CPR training to businesses and schools citywide.
2018
Healthcare Training Programs
We added advanced certifications for healthcare professionals.
2021
50,000+ Students Certified
We reached 50,000+ students certified across Chicago.
2024
Expanded Life-Saving Programs
We added Stop the Bleed and advanced emergency response programs.

Meet the Team

Life-Saving Knowledge, Delivered by Experts

Our instructors are not just certified — they are active firefighters, paramedics, and emergency professionals who have handled real emergencies. When you train with us, you learn from people who have done this work in the real world.

10
Expert Instructors
200+
Combined Years of Experience
50K+
Students Trained
8
Active First Responders
Bob McNellis — Founder & Lead Instructor
Founder & Lead Instructor

Bob McNellis

Founder & Lead Instructor

Firefighter / Paramedic

Bob founded Take Action CPR with a mission to make life-saving training accessible to everyone. With years of experience as a firefighter and paramedic, he brings real-world emergency knowledge to every class. He leads the instructional team and ensures every course meets the highest standards.

Book a Class With Bob

Our Instructors

Kyle Klimek — Lead Instructor

Kyle Klimek

Lead Instructor

Paramedic

Kyle is a dedicated paramedic who specializes in making complex medical procedures easy to understand. His calm, patient teaching style helps students build confidence quickly. He focuses on hands-on practice so students leave ready to respond in real emergencies.

Sabastian Koziel — Health & Safety Instructor

Sabastian Koziel

Health & Safety Instructor

Firefighter / Paramedic

Sabastian combines his experience as a firefighter and paramedic to teach practical, scenario-based CPR and first aid. He emphasizes teamwork and quick decision-making in high-pressure situations. Students appreciate his energy and ability to make training engaging.

Jonathan Cohon — Health & Safety Instructor

Jonathan Cohon

Health & Safety Instructor

USCCA Defensive and Tactical Firearms InstructorEMT-B

Jonathan brings a unique blend of emergency medical and tactical training expertise. As an EMT-B and certified firearms instructor, he teaches students to stay calm and think clearly under pressure. His diverse background makes him an invaluable part of the team.

Elisabeth Cohon — Health & Safety Instructor

Elisabeth Cohon

Health & Safety Instructor

Elisabeth has a gift for connecting with students of all backgrounds. She specializes in pediatric CPR and first aid training for parents, teachers, and daycare workers. Her compassionate approach ensures every student feels supported and confident by the end of class.

Nicole Franklin — Health & Safety Instructor

Nicole Franklin

Health & Safety Instructor

Health & Safety Instructor

Nicole excels at creating an inclusive, supportive classroom environment. She tailors her teaching to the needs of each group — whether it's corporate teams, healthcare workers, or community members. Her attention to detail ensures no student is left behind.

Missy Bresnahan — Health & Safety Instructor

Missy Bresnahan

Health & Safety Instructor

Firefighter / Paramedic

Missy is a firefighter and paramedic who knows what it takes to perform under pressure. She brings that same intensity and focus to her teaching, pushing students to master skills that could one day save a life. Her classes are rigorous, practical, and deeply rewarding.

Ryan Bennett — Health & Safety Instructor

Ryan Bennett

Health & Safety Instructor

Retired Firefighter / Paramedic

Ryan's decades of experience as a firefighter and paramedic give him a perspective few instructors can match. Now retired from active duty, he dedicates his time to passing on life-saving knowledge. His stories from the field make every lesson memorable and impactful.

Amber — Health & Safety Instructor

Amber

Health & Safety Instructor

Registered NurseAHA Certified Instructor

Amber is a Registered Nurse with extensive pediatric and critical care experience. She teaches CPR, AED, First Aid, BLS, ACLS, and PALS certification classes throughout Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of St. Francis and began her career in pediatric care at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab before advancing to the Cardiac ICU at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital. Known for her energetic teaching style and real-world healthcare experience, Amber is dedicated to helping students feel confident, prepared, and ready to act in emergencies.

Support Team

Barbara McNellis — Front Office Admin

Barbara McNellis

Front Office Admin

Client Services & Scheduling

Barbara keeps everything running smoothly behind the scenes. From scheduling classes to answering questions, she ensures every student has a seamless experience from first contact to certification.

Adam Widger — Business Development Manager

Adam Widger

Business Development Manager

Adam works with businesses, schools, and organizations across Chicago to set up group CPR training programs. He understands the compliance requirements different industries face and builds custom training solutions for teams of any size.

ER & Healthcare Professionals

Learn from instructors with real experience in hospitals and emergency care settings.

First Responders

Paramedics and emergency responders who know what matters in real situations.

AHA Certified Training

Every class follows American Heart Association standards and is nationally recognized.

Hands-On, Practical Skills

Focused training designed to prepare you for real-life emergencies, not just pass a test.

Why People Trust Us

Why Chicago Trusts Our CPR Training

Real experience. Simple training. Skills that actually matter.

Real Emergency Experience

Taught by paramedics, ER professionals, and real responders.

Hands-On Training

Practice real CPR skills—not just watch videos.

Simple, Clear Instruction

Step-by-step training anyone can follow.

AHA Certified

Official AHA certification accepted nationwide.

Local to Chicago

Serving Chicago with convenient local classes.

Certified by Trusted National Organizations

Our certifications are accepted nationwide for CPR and emergency response training.

AHA Certified Training Site
Stop The Bleed Certified
Mental Health First Aid Program
NAEMT Training Standards

Get Certified Today

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