(877) 807-3334
ABOUT US
WHEN AND WHY WAS VALOR RESCUE CREATED?
Valor Rescue was founded in March of 2023
by three amazing friends!
As rescue professionals, we understood the importance of proper education and training. Our goal is to be the top tier provider for rescue training programs.
Our mission was easy to define:
"TO PROVIDE WORLD CLASS TRAINING, CONSULTING AND
TEAM DEVELOPMENT FOR RESCUE PROFESSIONALS"
Our approach had to be different and our passion had to be reflected in every course. We believe in providing hands on training and realistic scenarios
to ensure our clients have the confidence needed to make the right decisions quickly and effectively, in any rescue situation. We have
designed our courses to prepare you for just that!
HOW DID WE DECIDED ON THE NAME VALOR RESCUE?
VALOR:
Strength of mind that enables a person to encounter danger with firmness
Our name, Valor Rescue, represents the qualities of courage and bravery that define emergency responders, our team, and mission statement. As rescue professionals
we understand and respect the imminent dangers present in every emergency response. Our philosophy is to provide training that allows you to respond to
any technical rescue with confidence, courage, bravery and strength.
MEET THE VALOR RESCUE CREW
SCOTT OLLERHEAD
Instructor / Director
For over two decades, Scott’s life has been deeply intertwined within the realm of emergency response. His professional career started as Commercial Pilot and Flight Instructor, however with a family history of emergency responders (fire fighter, paramedic and law enforcement) switching career paths was inevitable. After joining a mine rescue team in 2001, his love for technical rescue led to an unwavering commitment as a first responder, from high angle rope rescue, confined space to industrial fire and medical. His “Rescue Addiction” grew into leading competition rescue teams to numerous provincial championships, best captain awards, consecutively winning western regional rope rescue events, and eventually competing on the world stage at CMC's Grimp North America, on the battleship USS Iowa and Grimp Geneva, Switzerland (2025). Scott’s journey led him to Canada Task Force 2 (CANTF2), an Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team, where he met Mike and Chris. Continuous learning and development has allowed him to further enhanced his skills in rope rescue, IRATA rope access, tactical rappel master, structural collapse, confined space, heavy vehicle extrication and strike team / task force leadership. Scott’s expertise extends to the orchestration of high-speed performance teams, emphasizing safety, collaboration, and swift effective response where precision and efficiency are paramount. Staying current in the latest rescue techniques, Scott has demonstrated his ability to lead teams through complex and time-sensitive situations. On Scott’s down time (what’s that?), he enjoys spending time with his wife, 3 kids, 2 grand kiddos and their 2 golden doodles. He enjoys exercising, overlanding with family and friends, hiking and spending time outdoors.
MIKE HALPRIN
Instructor / Director
Mike began his career as a first responder a decade ago when he joined his home towns fire department as a paid response member. He quickly secured a spot on their special operations rescue team which introduced him to the world of technical rescue in the fields of rope, confined space, ice, swift water, and vehicle extrication. This sparked a passion that would direct him over the next 10 years of his life. His drive to improve himself as a rescuer brought him to Canada Task Force 2 (CANTF2) in 2018. Membership in this elite Urban Search and Rescue Team introduced Mike to the world of structural collapse and allowed him to experience deployments and exercises across North America. The opportunities to pursue advanced rigging, tactical rappel master and small team leadership courses have been invaluable and only continued to fuel Mikes passion for rescue. Mike’s constant need to improve has led him to take courses across the continent with some of the best rescuers in the world. He’s become a SPRAT level 2 rope access technician and served as an assessor at CMC’s GRIMP North America on the battleship USS Iowa. As a training officer at his department he’s constantly working to develop his instructional skills and methods. When he does have days off you’ll probably find him playing with foster puppies, rigging in the lab or mountain biking in the Rockies of Western Canada. Spending time with his Fiancé and monster dog are where he finds his peace.
CHRIS BENTLEY
Instructor / Director
Chris’s love of rescue was born almost 25 years ago in the Rocky Mountains of western Canada. From humble beginnings learning to rescue his climbing partners from crevasses and joining a local SAR team, it grew to a life long passion and career. After completing training as an acute care paramedic, Chris joined a small, but growing sub-urban fire department where he has been for the past 16 years. Filling the roll of field trainer and coordinating the technical rescue program has culminated in a recent promotion to training officer where he is able to constantly develop his teaching skills. Chris joined Canada Task Force 2 in 2008 where he’s been able to hone his technical rescue skills in high angle, building collapse, confined space and heavy vehicle extrication. CANTF2 has provided the opportunity for extra training, combining medical and rescue, advanced rigging, international exercises and deployments to some of the biggest disasters in Canadian history. Chris is also certified as a tactical rappel master. On his days off Chris fills his time with family and enjoying the outdoors of the interior of British Columbia. Interspersed withcall outs for his local SAR team he never stops advancing his craft as a rescuer. Many adventures with his daughter will find them rappelling out of caves or testing different rope systems on their back yard tower.
SEAN STERNA
Instructor
Sean brings an extensive background of safety, emergency response and rope skills to the team; having joined the world of emergency response nearing two decades ago. Sean has been involved in instruction for much of his adult life. While attending the University of Calgary, where he received his bachelor’s degree in Earth Sciences, Sean worked at the university’s Outdoor Centre teaching rock climbing and rope techniques. With his start in emergency response officially occurring in 2007, Sean began work with the Ski Patrol team at a large ski resort in the Canadian Rockies. He quickly grew into the role of Assistant Ski Patrol Director, where he would coordinate avalanche control and emergency medical response while leading training on rope rescue and lift evacuation. Sean soon found his way into the fire service, and for well over a decade has been responding to calls ranging from structure fires, rope rescues, motor vehicle collisions, hazmat response, and backcountry extractions. He continues to serve as a Fire Captain and Tech Rescue Lead for the department, responsible for in-service training and ensuring the members of the team maintain competency and qualification in their field. Sean holds his NFPA 1041 Fire Instructor Level 2 qualification, along with a myriad of additional professional qualifications within the fire and rescue disciplines ranging from technical rescue to fire officer. Sean is also certified as a tactical rappel master for law enforcement. Outside of the fire and rescue service, Sean works as a rope access technician and climbing arborist out of his home base in Southern Alberta. Alongside his teaching role with Valor Rescue, Sean is an instructor with Arboriculture Canada; where he provides instruction in tree climbing, aerial rescue, technical rigging and rope operations, and chainsaw safety and cutting techniques. Sean also spent several years managing industry-renowned life safety and emergency response programs, consulting for some of the biggest and most well-known commercial properties in Western Canada. When not engaged in emergency response or training duties, Sean has an incredible passion for rock and ice climbing, alpine mountaineering, backpacking, skiing, and mountain biking; activities he enjoys in his ‘backyard’ of Kananaskis and the Rocky Mountains of Alberta.
STEVEN LOHSE
Instructor
Steven’s life journey in Emergency Services started in his young adult life as a member of St. John Ambulance Brigade where he contributed countless volunteer hours providing standby medical services at various events. This was the start of his passion for Emergency Services, it fueled his fire to want more! After high school, Steven completed his Emergency Services Technologist Diploma at Lakeland College where he received his NFPA 1001 level 1 and 2 and EMT-A (now PCP). In 2004, Steven was successful in winning the lottery and getting on with a Fire Department in a large municipality in Southern Alberta. Through his career with the FD, he had the opportunity to continue his development and become a Hazardous Materials Specialist, Technical Rescue Specialist, and progressed to the rank of Captain. His learning and desire to provide services to citizens lead him to a ‘10 year’ part time job as a Primary Care Paramedic with Calgary Metro. Steven’s obsession with Emergency Services has been constantly displayed through his life experiences and his drive to learn more. Steven describes his career as a lifetime learner. He acquired his NFPA 1041 level 2 (fire service instructor) and teaches with passion. In 2014, Steven joined Canada Task Force 2 as a Hazardous Materials Specialist and Technical Rescue Specialist. In 2020, Steven’s career shifted gears as he secured a day staff position in the FD, leading him to one of four paid staff positions with Canada Task Force 2. He held this day staff role for a 5 year term that encompassed operations and training of this amazing team. His enthusiasm and drive for professionalism was contagious, leading the CAN-TF2 members to a better understanding of Technical Rescue. His quotes of “every rescue is a medical call” resonates with members and drives the level of care and teamwork that exists in Canada Task Force 2. He truly believes, “You only get one chance to do the rescue. Train Hard, Train Smart, Train Right.” Something he just doesn’t say, but instead he executes by his words, demonstration, knowledge, and passion for Technical Rescue! On Steven’s time off, he continues his nerd passion for Rope Rescue, Confined Space Rescue, Trench Rescue, and Structural Collapse Rescue. It is very uncommon to see him without a Structural Collapse Shoring Guide within arm’s reach at work or on days off. He has an amazing wife and 2 awesome daughters that support him beyond words. He enjoys his time off with his family camping, doing activities, being daddy taxi, curling during the winter, and cuddling with his two dogs. It’s quite obvious, that 4 legged fur friends are Steven’s favorite companions, behind his family of course. Oh and Christmas, Christmas is a year round thing for him. We won’t hold this against him!!
MATT STEIN
Instructor
Matt is a tradesman, former CAF Medical Technician, Primary Care Paramedic, firefighter, and a member of Ontario Task Force 2 (ONT-TF2), a provincial Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team specializing in structural collapse and technical rescue. Growing up on a farm in rural Ontario, Matt followed his father into the family business of commercial refrigeration, working on large construction projects. After four years in the trade, he craved something more meaningful. When he discovered the CAF was recruiting medics, he upgraded his credits, enlisted, and shifted his career from trades to medicine. His introduction to rope rescue came during a basic mountaineering course along the Niagara Escarpment. The experience had a lasting impact, and since then, he has made rope and technical rescue a core part of his career. As a firefighter and ONTTF2 team member, he not only responds to emergencies but also instructs on rope and confined space rescue, contributing to the development of SOGs from the outset. Matt believes that being a "technician" isn't about holding a certificate—it's a title earned through genuine proficiency and peer recognition. He challenges himself yearly by participating in advanced training in rope, confined space, structural collapse, and incident command. In 2024, while on a course in North Carolina, he met Mike Halprin of Valor Rescue. Seeing how Valor’s mission aligned with his own training philosophy, he was excited to join the team. Outside of firefighting and rescue, Matt has a passion for problem-solving—whether it's tackling technical terrain on his mountain bike during trips, coding websites (a skill he taught himself during COVID), or road-tripping across North America in his van with his wife and their 14-year-old Australian Shepherd, Jack.