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Why Choose First Choice Safety Solutions?

OUR TEAM IS YOUR TEAM

First Choice Safety Solutions is an industry-leading safety consulting firm dedicated to fostering a culture of safety and best practices across organizations. We believe that safety is integral to any successful operation. Our purpose is to seamlessly integrate safety protocols within your organization's culture, people, services, and products.

Our Philosophy: Meaningful, Not Topical 

There are many ways to implement health & safety practices that appear compliant, yet they might not effectively prevent injuries or incidents. At FCSS, we believe safety must be meaningful, not just topical. A truly effective safety program is rooted in proactive injury prevention—when employee safety is placed above all else, compliance becomes second nature.

About First Choice Safety Solutions

Founded in 2014, First Choice Safety Solutions (FCSS) is a trusted leader specializing in comprehensive Safety, Rescue, Access, Training, and Gear Solutions tailored specifically for critical infrastructure industries. We partner closely with organizations in Power Generation and Distribution, Industrial, Construction, Manufacturing, Water Treatment and Distribution, Emergency Services, and Defense to enhance workplace safety, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance.

Our Core Solutions

Safety Solutions

    • Customized Safety Program Development: Tailored programs promoting proactive hazard awareness.
    • On-Site Safety Management & Oversight: Expert supervision to maintain rigorous safety standards.
    • Job Safety Analysis (JSA) & Hazard Assessments: Detailed identification and proactive mitigation of workplace hazards.
    • Regulatory Compliance (OSHA, NFPA, ANSI): Ensuring your safety protocols surpass industry-specific standards.

Rescue Solutions

    • Confined Space Rescue: Standby and entry rescue services.
    • High-Angle & Rope Rescue: Specialized rescue teams for complex vertical environments.
    • Specialized Access Rescue: Solutions for tower and industrial environments.
    • Emergency Response & Rescue Planning: Customized preplans for effective emergency management.

Access Solutions

    • Rope Access Services: Safe access to challenging work areas.
    • Tower Climbing & Structural Access: Certified climbing solutions.
    • Industrial Fall Protection Systems: Design and implementation of fall protection measures.
    • Custom-Engineered Access Equipment: Equipment solutions tailored to your operational needs.

Training Solutions

    • General Safety Training: OSHA Compliance, Confined Space Entry, Fall Protection, MEWP, PIT Operations, CPR/First Aid/AED, PPE, Industrial Hygiene.
    • Rescue Training: NFPA and Industrial Rescue, Rope Rescue, Trench Rescue, Tower Rescue, Technical Workshops.
    • HAZMAT Training: Industrial Emergency Response, Chemical Safety, Lithium Battery Response, Incident Command.
    • Industrial & Fire Brigade Training: Incipient and Structural Firefighting, Machine Rescue, Small Team Rescue, Live Fire Exercises, NFPA RIT/FAST Operations.
    • Certifications Offered: NFPA 1006, ProBoard, OSHA 10/30-Hour, HAZWOPER, NFPA 70E, SPRAT Rope Access, NATE Tower Climber/Rescuer.

Gear Solutions

    • Professional-grade rescue and access equipment.
    • Customized gear solutions tailored to industry requirements.
    • Authorized Petzl Technical Partner.
    • Inspection, maintenance, and certification services.

Why Choose FCSS?

At First Choice Safety Solutions, our strength is our people. Our highly skilled team of safety professionals, seasoned rescuers, and experienced trainers possess deep operational expertise in industrial safety, technical rescue, emergency response, and hazardous environments.

We are dedicated to exceeding client expectations by delivering mission-critical safety, rescue, and training solutions designed to foster meaningful safety practices, enhance workplace safety, and ensure regulatory compliance.

Join us in our mission to create safer, more productive workplaces—where meaningful safety practices prevent injuries and incidents before they occur

 

 

How to Work With Us

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Step 1 Connect

Let First Choice Safety help you determine what is required and best for your unique company, team, and even specific job. It all starts with a conversation to learn about your needs. We are here to guide you!
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Step 2 EVALUATE

We’ll take stock of all that we’ve talked about and put together a plan and estimate for how First Choice can meet your safety needs. All of our proposals are custom-made to accommodate the distinct problems you face.
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Step 3 EXECUTE

Just like that, after a few easy steps it’s time to implement what we’ve discussed. Whether it’s getting training for your team scheduled, planning an Outage, or getting confined safety services on the calendar, we’ll start to Make Work Safe with you.

Our Purpose

First Choice Safety Solutions is an industry-leading safety consulting firm that fosters a culture of safety and best practices across organizations. Rooted in the belief that safety is integral to any successful operation, our purpose is to seamlessly integrate safety protocols within your organization's culture, people, services, and products.

 

culture

Culture

Creating a safety partnership among management, employees, and contractors that continually focuses people's attention and actions on their own and others' safety behavior is WHAT WE DO. We take the time to listen, understand, and immerse ourselves into our client's culture; becoming part of YOUR team helps us understand your needs and better assist in taking you to the next level of safety compliance.

People

People 

We understand that people are our world's most important asset. Without knowledgeable and competent staff, we would be nothing. When you partner with First Choice Safety Solutions, you are partnering with our team of professionals who are here to help provide solution-based guidance to your team in a world of worksite problems.

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Services

When you need help with training or are planning to perform high-risk work in permit confined spaces, First Choice Safety Solutions is ready and capable to guide you to compliance and be there in case your employees need rescue. We are mission-driven. From overall safety program management to boots-on-the-ground behavioral-based coaching, First Choice Safety Solutions skilled team of professionals is here to help.

Products

Products

Products are an essential part of any business, and we take that seriously at our company. We only sell products that we use ourselves. That means high-quality brands that keep employees safe. We also make sure that the technology is compatible with the client's mission. 

Our Values

Our actions tell the world what First Choice Safety Solutions stands for.
What we believe in. Who we are. Our core values.

Safety

Safety

First Choice Safety Solutions is committed to maintaining the absolute highest safety standard in everything we do.

Integrity

Integrity

We hold ourselves accountable for our behavior. We bring respect and honesty with each interaction we have, whether with a client, each other, or those we serve.

Excellence

Excellence

First Choice Safety Solutions staff is devoted to continuous improvement, excellence, professionalism, and innovation in our work.

Our Team

First Choice Safety Solutions is owned and managed by Stephen Bergel & Benjamin Ragsdale.
Both owners are passionate about seeking perfection and empowering those around them by exemplifying integrity,
honesty, fair attitude, self-discipline, accountability, and humility.

Benjamin Ragsdale

Benjamin Ragsdale

Co-Founder

CSHO, CUSP

Stephen Bergel

Stephen Bergel

Co-Founder

CSHO, CUSP, COHC

Ernest Young

Ernest Young

Manager

CUSP

Allan VanLew II

Allan VanLew II

Manager

CUSP

Eric Feldmann

Eric Feldmann

MANAGER

CSP

John Bernardo

John Bernardo

MANAGER

Safety Professional

Jeff Chandler

Jeff Chandler

MANAGER

Special Operations Training

Joshua Benderoth

Joshua Benderoth

INSTRUCTOR

Safety Professional

Chris Parietti

Chris Parietti

INSTRUCTOR

Rescue Technician

Peter Kelly

Peter Kelly

CSP

 
Jason Balletto

Jason Balletto

SUPERVISOR

Safety Professional

Reginald Hansen

Reginald Hansen

Safety Professional
Rescue Technician

Brandon Parenti

Brandon Parenti

Safety Professional
Rescue Technician

Clarke Johnson

Clarke Johnson

Instructor

Rescue Technician

Kyle Clifton

Kyle Clifton

Rescue Technician

Looking to join our team of passionate safety professionals? Browse our open positions today.

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