About 2nd City CPR & Safety Training

2nd City CPR & Safety Training is a Chicago-based, service-disabled veteran-owned safety training provider focused on CPR, AED, First Aid, Stop the Bleed, and emergency preparedness education.

2nd City CPR & Safety Training is a veteran-owned, community-focused safety education organization delivering professional, scalable life-saving training. We specialize in American Heart Association certifications, mobile training solutions, and community safety programs designed for real-world emergencies—not just compliance. Our instructors bring frontline experience to every class, ensuring participants are confident and prepared to act. 2nd City CPR & Safety Training exists to close that gap by delivering hands-on, skills-focused instruction designed for real-world situations.

The organization was created to address a simple but dangerous reality: many emergencies become fatal because the people nearby are not trained or confident enough to act. 2nd City CPR & Safety Training exists to close that gap by delivering hands-on, skills-focused instruction designed for real-world situations.

Training is provided to schools, businesses, nonprofits, public agencies, faith-based organizations, and community groups. Instruction emphasizes practical decision-making, muscle memory, and confidence under pressure—without relying on lecture-heavy or theoretical approaches.

To improve access, 2nd City CPR & Safety Training also operates mobile training and assessment programs, including a mobile CPR skills assessment lab and mobile fire safety education resources. These programs are designed to bring training directly to communities, workplaces, and schools where access may otherwise be limited.

The goal is simple: prepare everyday people to respond effectively in critical moments.

Founder

2nd City CPR & Safety Training was founded by J. Reed, a firefighter/paramedic, Air Force veteran, and emergency management professional with extensive experience in emergency response and public safety systems.

Reed has served in multiple fire departments across Cook County and previously worked as a Fire Communications Operator within the City of Chicago’s 911 system. He currently serves as a Regional Coordinator for Emergency Medical Response Systems (EMRS) for Cook County, supporting emergency preparedness and response coordination efforts.

His military service includes six years of active duty in the United States Air Force, with a combat deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. His background in fire protection, emergency medical services, and emergency management informs the practical and systems-based approach used in all training programs.

Reed has also experienced the consequences of emergency preparedness gaps on a personal level, reinforcing his commitment to ensuring that more people are equipped with life-saving skills before emergencies occur.

Today, Reed continues to work as an active firefighter/paramedic while leading 2nd City CPR & Safety Training and delivering education to organizations and communities throughout the region.