From Firefighter to First Aid Instructor – Meet Wes

Behind every great First Aid course is a trainer who brings it to life. At Essex First Aid & Wellbeing (EFAW), that trainer is Wes Connelly — a former firefighter, fitness professional, and open water swim coach whose real-life experience gives his teaching unmatched depth and authenticity.

In this blog, we go behind the scenes to explore Wes’s journey, from frontline emergencies to classroom leadership. If you’ve ever wondered who’s behind EFAW — and why our training feels so real — this is the story.

Early Days: A Passion for People and Safety

Wes’s interest in First Aid began long before his firefighting career. As a young lifeguard in the UK and America, he learned early on how small actions can save lives. Whether pulling someone from the water or treating a sunstroke case, he quickly grasped the importance of calm, confident response in emergencies.

That early exposure sparked a passion for public safety — and a career that would span nearly two decades.

18 Years in the Fire Service

In 2006, Wes joined the London Fire Brigade, one of the UK’s most demanding and respected emergency services. Over 18 years, he served at the frontline of:

• Road traffic collisions

• House fires

• Chemical incidents

• Public disasters

• Medical emergencies

• Suicide interventions

Wes’s service saw him attend high-pressure incidents including:

• The 7/7 London bombings

• The London Riots

• The Grenfell Tower disaster

He delivered everything from basic wound care to life-saving CPR, often while coordinating with paramedics, police, and distressed members of the public.

This experience didn’t just sharpen Wes’s First Aid skills — it shaped his empathy, clarity under pressure, and ability to communicate calmly in a crisis.

The Birth of Essex First Aid & Wellbeing

After years of informal mentoring and delivering First Aid internally, Wes decided to take his experience to the wider public. He founded EFAW to offer:

• Accredited First Aid and Mental Health First Aid courses

• A more personalised, story-driven training experience

• Flexible delivery for workplaces, sports clubs, carers, and families

• Training rooted in real experience, not just textbook learning

EFAW was born from Wes’s belief that everyone should feel confident in a crisis, not just emergency professionals.

Where You’ll Find Wes Now

Wes continues to lead every EFAW course himself, offering:

• On-site workplace training

• Paediatric First Aid for schools and nurseries

• Sports First Aid for clubs and coaches

• Mental Health First Aid courses

• Community and family workshops

• 1:1 refresher sessions

He also provides training at our Elmstead Market venue, with free parking and scenic surroundings for a relaxed learning experience.