Committed to Excellence in Emergency Services

A Legacy of Action:

Meet Our Founder Scott Hembruff

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Extensive Professional Biography: A Legacy of Action

The mastery of response in high-stakes environments, the difference between a crisis and a controlled incident is the quality of the response. Scott Hembruff has spent over a quarter-century operating within that critical margin. As a SME Subject Matter Expert in Wilderness Medicine, Safety, Survival & Rescue. Fire Rescue, as well as Aviation & Marine Safety, Scott has built a career defined by the phrase "grace under pressure."

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A foundation in emergency excellence Scott’s medical career is distinguished not just by his 15+ years of clinical experience, but by his performance when seconds matter most. A four-time recipient of prestigious life-saving awards—including two Lightning Bolt Awards for successful cardiac resuscitations and two Stork Pins for emergency pre-hospital deliveries—Scott’s expertise spans from the Provincial Stroke Unit at the University of Alberta Hospital to the remote, unforgiving terrain of the arctic.

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Aviation and infrastructure security beyond the clinical setting, Scott is a highly technical Licensed Commercial Pilot and aviation specialist. His tenure at Toronto Pearson International Airport (CYYZ) involved the rigorous enforcement of Transport Canada safety standards. As an Airside Safety Officer and D/DA AVOP Tester, he managed the complex intersection of heavy aircraft movement, construction monitoring, and emergency response, ensuring operational integrity at Canada’s most vital transportation hub.

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Scott’s tactical law enforcement leadership, specialized training and  security background is equally robust, encompassing VIP Close Protection, K-9 operations, and Use of Force instruction. He has served as a Field Manager and Site Supervisor for municipal and private security contracts, bringing a disciplined, regulatory-focused approach to protective services. This diverse skillset led to the founding of Advanced Rescue Solutions, where Scott now translates his frontline experience into elite training programs.

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As a global Consultant & Media Subject Matter Expert, Scott is a sought-after consultant for organizations requiring specialized safety oversight. From training NAV CANADA personnel at their national headquarters to ensuring the safety of film crews in the world’s most dangerous environments for the Discovery Channel, Scott provides a unique hybrid of medical, safety, tactical, and operational intelligence.

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Mission Statement "True safety is not the absence of risk, but the mastery of response." Whether navigating a medical emergency at 30,000 feet, managing an ice-water rescue, or securing critical infrastructure, Scott Hembruff remains dedicated to the preservation of life and the empowerment of those he trains.

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Scott's qualifications as a survival instructor are not solely academic; they are forged from over two decades of active-duty service in Fire Rescue, paramedicine, and technical rescue operations across some of Canada’s most unforgiving environments. Specializing in the Boreal and Arctic regions, Scott has mastered the specific demands of cold-weather survival, from improvised shelter construction in sub-zero conditions to advanced fire craft and resource procurement when modern gear fails. This background allows Scott to teach beyond the theoretical, providing students with the 'street' experience needed to bridge the gap between regulatory safety standards and the raw reality of staying alive in the wilderness.

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As an instructor, Scott's objective is to operationalize safety, transforming complex survival concepts into instinctive actions for professionals working in high-risk sectors—from aviation aircrew to remote industrial teams. Scott's curriculum is built on a foundation of 'failure is not an option,' integrating the psychological resilience required for long-term survival with the tactical precision of modern rescue systems, whether training for survival at sea, remote northern extraction, or overland navigation, Scott focuses on building competency that holds up under extreme physiological stress, ensuring that when the environment turns hostile, your response is elite, calculated, and effective.

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• Specific Environments: Boreal & Arctic regions, Maritime

• Professional Background: 20+ years in Fire Rescue/Paramedicine ("Active-duty Rescue & Survival specialists").

• Teaching Philosophy: "Operationalizing safety" and bridging the gap between compliance and reality.

• Specialized Courses: Aircrew, industrial, Government and Wilderness Survival, Safety & Medicine contexts.

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Subject Matter Expert (SME) Curriculum Vitae

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Scott Hembruff Founder & Director of Operations Specialization: Wilderness Medicine | Wilderness Survival | Arctic Survival | Aircrew Survival | Ice Water Rescue | Swiftwater Rescue | Aviation Safety | Tactical Security | Emergency Response|  Maritime Safety

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PTSD Guest Speaker & Presenter

Fire & Ems Rescue Experiences in the Wild 

Location: Toronto, ON (Available for Global Relocation)

Contact: 437-829-0911 | scotthembruff@advancedrescuesolutions.ca

Web: www.advancedrescuesolutions.ca

SME Professional Profile

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Multi-disciplinary Subject Matter Expert with over 25 years of experience in high-consequence environments.

Unique technical triad as a Licensed Commercial Sea Plane Pilot, Certified Advanced RPAS Drone Operator, Certified Firefighter, and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). Proven track record in developing specialized training curricula for federal agencies (NAV CANADA) and international media (Discovery Channel).

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Core Technical Competencies

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• Emergency Medicine: Pre-Hospital Care, Wilderness EMT, Clinical Assessment, Advanced Resuscitation (Defibrillation), Medical Directorship, Nursing Assistant, Instructor, Race Medical Director - Wilderness Traverse Adventure Race Series, Race Medical Director - Storm Racing Events, Set Medical Director Discovery Channel - "Naked & Afraid", Set Medical Director - "The Adrenaline Project" YTV, Set Medic - "Camp Rock", Set Medical Director - "The Great Canadian Baking Show" CBC, Set Medic - "Mary Makes it Easy" CBC

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• Aviation Operations: Airport Safety Management Systems (SMS), TP312 Standards, Airside Construction Monitoring, AVOP Testing & Examination, Flight Dispatch, Airside Safety, Commercial Seaplane Pilot, Certified Airport Operations & Safety Specialist ( IAAE Canada), Airport Wildlife Control Officer, Airport Construction Monitor, Valid YYZ Security Clearance.

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• Tactical & Security: Use of Force (PPCT), VIP Close Protection, K-9 Operations, Accident Reconstruction (Peel Regional Police Service), Private Investigation, Certified Laser Radar Operator (Peel Regional Police Service), MLEO, Armed Security Officer, K-9 Instructor, Mobile Alarm Response Officer, Restricted Firearms License (PAL)

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• Search & Rescue (SAR): NFPA 1001 & 1002 Firefighting, Ice Water Rescue Instructor, Marine SAR, SVOP Captaincy, Wilderness Survival Instructor, Hazmat Operations, SCBA, Vehicle Extrication, Jaws of Life, ARFF, Oshkosh 1500 ARFF Certification, Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear First Responder Training Preparedness Canada, Ice Water Rescue Technician, Swiftwater Rescue Technician, Surface Water Technician, OPP Drug Unit Training - Drug Chemical Labs for Firefighters, Defensive Driving for First Responders, 

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• PTSD PEER Guest Lecturer: Scott provides in person Guest Speaker Presentations on his journey through PTSD for the benefit of the next generation and so others know they are not alone in their journey. He is an active advocate for First Responders With PTSD.

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• Education and Faculty Experience: 

  • Fleming College - Contract Faculty - Outdoor Adventure Skills Program - Wilderness Survival Instructor

  • Fleming College - Contract Faculty - Fish & Wildlife Law Enforcement Program - Working on Ice Instructor

  • Seneca College - Contract Faculty - Aircrew Survival Instructor

  • Red Deer College, Alberta - Contract Faculty - Wilderness Medicine Instructor

  • Fanshawe College - Contract Faculty - Adventure Education and Interpretive Leadership Program - Wilderness Medicine and Working on Ice Instructor

Professional Experience

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Founder & Principal Consultant | Advanced Rescue Solutions / Highlands Wilderness Training Institute | 2001 – Present

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• Contracted SME for NAV CANADA HQ; designed and executed Remote Operations Safety & Medical Training.

• Lead Production Medic for Discovery Channel’s "Naked & Afraid," managing remote medical risk in extreme environments.

• Curriculum developer for Wilderness Survival, Arctic Survival, and Ice Water Rescue programs.

Airport Operations Specialist & Airside Safety Officer | Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) | Multiple Years

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• Enforced Transport Canada safety regulations at CYYZ (Canada’s busiest airport).

• Managed airside construction monitoring and maneuvering area safety.

• Designated Industry Canada Testing Examiner for Restricted Radio Licenses (Aeronautical).

• Administered Airside Vehicle Operators Permit (AVOP) D & DA testing.

Emergency Medical Technician / Clinical Assistant | Various High-Volume Facilities | 15+ Years

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• Provided Emergency Care & Clinical Rotations in in Neurology, Provincial Stroke Unit Nursing Assistant University Of Alberta Hospital Med Surge, ER, psychiatry, and complex continuing care as well as Maternity Labour & Delivery.

• Former Medical Director for the Storm Racing Adventure Race Series (6 years).

• Maintained 100% HIPAA/PHIPA compliance across all patient-facing roles.

Licenses, Certifications & Credentials

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• Aviation: Commercial Pilot License (Seaplane, Night, VFR-OTT), Advanced Drone Operator (Transport Canada), SMS Certified.

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• Medical: EMT, Wilderness EMT, EMR, BCLS, Stop The Bleed Instructor, First Aid/CPR Instructor.

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• Fire & Marine: NFPA 1001/1002, Fire & Arson Investigator (IAAI), SVOP (Vessels up to 15 Gross Tons), MED A3.

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• Tactical: Use of Force Instructor, PPCT, Restricted PAL, Laser Radar Operator.

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