Our Mission
At Vector Rescue our mission is to provide comprehensive technical rescue solutions. Whether you’re refining existing skills, building new ones, or working on a high risk project, we’re here to support your team with cutting-edge solutions tailored to your mission and operational environment.
Built from experience. Driven by passion
Founded in 2019, Vector Rescue was created to fill a gap in high-quality rope rescue training. At the time, advanced instruction was hard to find in our region, and traveling long distances wasn’t practical. We knew there had to be a better way—so, we built it.
We started by designing the courses we wanted to take—practical, progressive, and grounded in real-world operations. Launching with Vertical Mobility, followed by Arborist Rescue and our Vortex Series, we quickly cultivated a dedicated community of students who shared our passion for technical rescue. As word spread, our reputation for technically modern training grew.
As we expanded our course offerings, something incredible happened—several students kept returning, even to repeat the same courses. Their dedication, drive, and professionalism stood out, so naturally, we hired them. To this day, we’ve never posted a job listing. Every Vector Rescue instructor has joined us organically, united by a shared commitment to the craft.
Over the past six years, that commitment has fueled our growth, allowing us to broaden our services while maintaining the high standards we started with. We now offer OSHA/ANSI-compliant training for work at height and confined space, rescue standby services, and a complete selection of top-tier equipment—all tailored to meet the specific needs of public safety and industrial professionals.
Our focus on safe, efficient and progressive training is what sets us apart. Whether you’re refining existing skills, building new ones, or working on a high-risk project, we’re here to support your team with cutting-edge solutions, tailored to your mission and operational environment. From training to real-world response, our commitment to your mission never wavers.
Driven to Be Better
- In 2019, we became a founding sponsor of the International Technical Rescue Association (ITRA), which provides independent third-party validation for technical rescuers and instructors across various disciplines. Many of our instructors hold Level 3 credentials and instructor designations, requiring intensive recertification every three years—reinforcing our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of expertise and professionalism
- In 2022, we were assessed and recognized by Petzl as a Petzl Technical Partner (PTP)—the only Rescue PTP in New England. This designation is awarded to expert companies in vertical environments that demonstrate a thorough understanding of their industry, contribute to best practices, and integrate Petzl solutions effectively. This partnership further enhances the high-quality training, rescue standby services, and equipment sales we provide.
- This year, we became a member of the Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians (SPRAT). Several of our instructors hold SPRAT certifications, demonstrating their expertise in rope access techniques and safety standards. SPRAT’s mission to advance the safe use of rope access through education, standards development, and certifications aligns with our core mission. As we continue to grow, this partnership will help us expand our rope access capabilities and further enhance the services we offer to both public safety and industrial clients.
Our Founders
Our Instructors
James Croswell
Co-Founder
James is the Co-Founder of Vector Rescue and is an instructor and assessor with the International Technical Rescue Association. James is a career Firefighter with the Danbury (CT) Fire Department assigned to Truck 1. He is a nationally certified fire instructor and has over 20 years of public safety experience.
James’ advanced fire service and technical rescue certifications include, Rope, Trench and Confined Space Rescue- Technician (Pro Board/NFPA), Rope 3 (ITRA), Confined Space 2 (ITRA), HAZMAT Technician, Vehicle and Machinery 1 & 2 (Pro Board/NFPA) among many others. He holds a B.S. in Fire Science, from the University of New Haven and is an Emergency Medical Technician.
James lives in Roxbury, CT and when not at work can usually be found on Nantucket Island with his better half, Victoria. They both enjoy the outdoors and backpack often together with their dogs Hailey, Hugo, and Hilo.
Kevin Lunnie
Co-Founder
Kevin is the Captain of Squad 21 with the Danbury Fire Department (CT) . He has served the department for over 18 years and has spent the majority of his time as an officer, assigned to the department’s rescue company, including six years as a Lieutenant before being promoted to Captain. He is the Co-Founder of Vector Rescue and recently completed a 3 year term on the Board of Directors for the International Technical Rescue Association (ITRA). Kevin holds Technician certifications in Rope, Tower, Confined Space, Swiftwater and Trench. He also holds Level 3 Rope and Level 2 Swiftwater certifications with ITRA, where he is an Instructor and Evaluator. He holds an AS in Fire Administration and is a licensed Paramedic. Kevin lives with his wife Meghan and their children in Bridgewater, CT. He is currently teaching his kids to rock climb and has had moderate success to date.
Mike Sedgwick
Instructor
Mike is a Lieutenant with the Danbury (CT) Fire Department, assigned to Engine 26. He is a nationally certified Instructor and Fire Officer with 20 years in emergency services. Mike’s advanced fire service and technical rescue certifications include, Rope and Confined Space Rescue- Technician (NFPA), Trench Technician, HAZMAT Technician and well as OSHA Cell Tower Rescue. He became an Emergency Medical Technician in 2004 and is a member of the CT Region 5 Hazmat Team. Mike lives with his wife, Amy, and their children in Thomaston, CT. When he’s not occupied with his kids’ sports, band practices and lego projects you can find him in the kitchen…..he makes a killer cheesecake.
Kris Eifler
Instructor
Kris is a Lieutenant with the White Plains (NY) Fire Department, currently assigned as the departments Training Officer. Prior to his promotion he worked as the chauffeur on the department's Heavy Rescue. As a 12 year veteran of the department, Kris is involved in teaching both rescue and ladder company operations within the department. Kris holds numerous advanced certifications including Structural Collapse Technician and the USAR Rescue Systems I/II/III series. He has been married for six years and has three daughters under the age of four who have not yet discovered their passion for everything ropes. Although, they love to inadvertently tangle and tie knots in 300’ sections that daddy has to painstakingly sort out while playing in the backyard.
Jason Erban
Instructor
Jason began his public safety career in 1995 after graduating from paramedic school. After two years as a paramedic in Worcester, Mass he was hired in 1997 at Warwick, RI Fire Department. During his tenure in Warwick he served as a fire instructor, hazardous materials technician, grant writer and was promoted to lieutenant in 2009. He was instrumental in the creation of the Warwick Fire Technical Rescue Team and fulfilled training and leadership roles while assigned to Special Hazards 1, the heavy rescue. Jason received his fundamental rope training from Pat Rhodes and is privileged to pass on experiences and knowledge to students at the RI fire Academy. Jason has completed several additional rope training programs as well as technician level training in tower rescue, extrication and confined space. Jason retired from Warwick Fire in 2018 and is presently the Assistant Chief of Training and Safety for the Norwich Fire Department. He spends his free time with his family and resides in East Lyme, CT.
Brian Hickey
Instructor
Brian is a Deputy Chief in the City of White Plains (NY) Fire Department. He holds certifications in Rope Rescue, Confined Space Rescue, Medium Structural Collapse(Shoring), Trench Rescue, Heavy Rigging, Advanced HazMat, and Ice/Cold Water Rescue. He is a certified NYS rope rescue instructor.
He has spent the bulk of his career as a firefighter and company officer on the City's Heavy Rescue. Brian has been the principal rope Instructor for the WPFD for the last several years and implemented the department wide change to 11mm rope.
Prior to becoming a Firefighter he spent 6 years on active duty in the United States Marine Corps. Brian lives with his wife Lena and 2 children in Pawling, New York and enjoys spending his free time hiking the nearby Appalachian Trail with the family.
Cal Brennan
Instructor
Cal is a 15 year member of the fire service with both career and volunteer experience. Cal is a Lieutenant with the Hamden (CT) Fire Department assigned to Squad 1. He got his start in the fire service in his home town volunteer departments JR corps and is currently a Deputy Fire Marshal there.
He is a nationally certified Fire Officer 2, Fire Instructor 3, Fire Marshal and holds multiple advanced level fire and technical rescue certifications including Rope, Lead Climbing, Confined Space and Vehicle.
Cal lives with his fiancee Alyssa and their 2 dogs Chevy and Ryder in Beacon Falls CT. They enjoy traveling with their camper and also live on a hobby farm raising animals and making memories.
Bill Simons
Instructor
Bill has been a member of the White Plains (NY) Fire Department since 2015 and was promoted to Lieutenant in 2019. He's currently the Municipal Training Officer, overseeing the Department's training needs. Bill is a nationally certified Fire Instructor III and holds technician-level certifications in rope, confined space, trench, structural collapse, swift water, and hazmat. In addition, he's an Emergency Medical Technician and recently graduated from John Jay College with a Master's in Public Administration. Bill lives in White Plains, NY, and is a new father to a baby boy.
Scott Jensen
Instructor
Scott is a Captain with the Warwick (RI) Fire Department, where he has been working for the past 18 years. He has been assigned to the city’s Heavy Rescue Company for the past 13 years and is the Team Leader for the department’s Technical Rescue Team. As a member of the department’s grant writing team, he assisted in securing over $12 million from various funding sources and grant programs, including the FEMA AFG program.
Scott has received certification for advanced training in many of the NFPA 1006 disciplines over the past 18 years. He is also certified as a FEMA Structural Collapse Technician, Level 2 SPRAT Rope Access Technician, ITRA Level 3 Advanced Rope, Fire Instructor III, Fire Officer II, and HazMat Technician.
Scott has been a Fire Academy instructor for the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy since 2007, teaching in both the Career Recruit Program and the Technical Rescue Division.
He lives in North Attleboro, Massachusetts with his wife, Diane, their two children. When not spending time with his family, he enjoys golfing and tackling home improvement projects.
Patrick Leonard
Instructor
Patrick Leonard is a Lieutenant with the New London Fire Department, where he has proudly served for 10 years. In addition, he is a certified instructor and rope technician, who also holds many other national certifications, including Officer 2, and vehicle machinery rescue. Instructor Leonard has always had a passion for teaching firefighters—especially rope rescue techniques. As one of the FDNL rope training officers, he oversees operating procedures and safety measures, and is responsible for purchasing equipment. In his spare time, Lieutenant Leonard enjoys being outdoors with his wife and their three young boys, as well as working on finishing building his dream home in Franklin, CT.
Kyle Seitz
Instructor
Kyle is a Captain with the City of Norwich Fire Department, where he has worked for the past 17 years and is currently assigned to the Squad Company. He oversees and coordinates rope training and development for the department. Kyle holds multiple national certifications including: Rope, Confined Space, Vehicle and Machine Rescue, HAZMAT Tech, Fire Instructor, and Fire Officer.
Before his career in the fire service, Kyle studied arboriculture at Paul Smiths College. His passion for trees has allowed him to spend a lot of time in the canopy with many talented arborists in southeastern CT.
Kyle lives with his wife Holly, and their two daughters in Sprague, CT and enjoys spending time with the family and working on his property.
