First Choice Safety Solutions: Safety, Rescue, Access, Training and Gear

08/27/2026

Ready to earn, advance, or renew your SPRAT Rope Access Certification?

First Choice Safety Solutions: Safety, Rescue, Access, Training and Gear has four SPRAT Rope Access Certification courses remaining in 2026 at our purpose-built training center in Mystic, Connecticut:

September 21–25
October 5–9
November 16–20
December 14–18

All sessions accept:

• Level I candidates
• Level II and Level III upgrade candidates
• Recertification candidates

Each five-day course includes four days of hands-on training followed by a written and practical evaluation conducted by an independent SPRAT Evaluator.

Your $1,700 registration includes:

• SPRAT training and evaluation
• Certification fees
• Rope access equipment
• Course materials
• Experienced SPRAT Level III instructors
• Low student-to-instructor ratios

First Choice Safety Solutions is a authorized Petzl Technical Partner and Indsutrial Rope Access (SPRAT) Training Center, FCSS provides professional instruction in New England’s largest purpose-built rope access training facility.

Class sizes are intentionally limited, so reserve your place early.

Register here:
https://shop.firstchoicesafetysolutions.com/events/sprat-rope-access-certification-all-levels-mystic-ct-12/

Questions about certification levels or group registration?

Contact us at [email protected] or 1-844-343-3277.

Petzl Professional
Sterling Rope
CMC: Rescue, Safety, Access
Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians - SPRAT
The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut
Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce

08/25/2026

Ready to earn, advance, or renew your SPRAT Rope Access Certification?

First Choice Safety Solutions has four SPRAT Rope Access Certification courses remaining in 2026 at our purpose-built training center in Mystic, Connecticut:

September 21–25
October 5–9
November 16–20
December 14–18

All sessions accept:

• Level I candidates
• Level II and Level III upgrade candidates
• Recertification candidates

Each five-day course includes four days of hands-on training followed by a written and practical evaluation conducted by an independent SPRAT Evaluator.

Your $1,700 registration includes:

• SPRAT training and evaluation
• Certification fees
• Rope access equipment
• Course materials
• Experienced SPRAT Level III instructors
• Low student-to-instructor ratios

First Choice Safety Solutions is a authorized Petzl Technical Partner and Indsutrial Rope Access (SPRAT) Training Center, FCSS provides professional instruction in New England’s largest purpose-built rope access training facility.

Class sizes are intentionally limited, so reserve your place early.

Register here:
https://shop.firstchoicesafetysolutions.com/events/

Questions about certification levels or group registration?
Contact us at [email protected] or 1-844-343-3277.

Petzl Professional
Sterling Rope
CMC: Rescue, Safety, Access
Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians - SPRAT
The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut
Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce

First Choice Safety Solutions is your our solutions-based partner for workplace safety services, solution, and training. Make Work Safe!

08/21/2026

Our thoughts are with the injured worker, their family, coworkers, and the emergency responders involved in this technical rescue in Holbrook, Massachusetts.

Although the circumstances surrounding this incident remain under investigation, it is an important reminder of the challenges associated with emergencies involving manholes, dry wells, vaults, tanks, and other confined spaces.

Confined-space emergencies can require specialized personnel, equipment, rigging, atmospheric monitoring, patient packaging, and coordination among multiple agencies. That is why rescue planning must occur before work begins.

A site-specific confined-space rescue plan should consider:

• The configuration and hazards of the space
• Atmospheric monitoring and ventilation
• Fall protection and non-entry retrieval
• Communication with entrants
• Rescue-team availability and response capability
• Access, patient packaging, and removal methods

“Call 911” alone is not a complete confined-space rescue plan. Employers should identify and evaluate the designated rescue service and confirm that it can respond appropriately to the specific hazards and configuration of the space.

We share this information not to speculate about this incident, but to encourage organizations to review their confined-space procedures and rescue readiness before an emergency occurs.

If your organization needs assistance evaluating its confined-space rescue readiness, First Choice Safety Solutions: Safety, Rescue, Access, Training and Gear provides confined-space assessments, rescue-plan development, training, rescue equipment, and professional standby rescue services.

Learn more:
https://www.firstchoicesafetysolutions.com/standby-rescue-services/

News report:
https://www.wcvb.com/article/technical-rescue-underway-at-manhole-in-holbrook-massachusetts/73484796

08/20/2026

Taking access to the next level at UConn’s iconic Gampel Pavilion!

First Choice Safety Solutions: Safety, Rescue, Access, Training and Gear recently provided SPRAT Level III rope access services on the pavilion’s distinctive dome in Storrs, Connecticut.

The steep, curved structure presented a complex access challenge requiring careful planning, specialized rigging, redundant rope systems, experienced Level III supervision, and site-specific rescue readiness. Our team provided safe and efficient access to areas where scaffolding, aerial lifts, and other conventional methods would have been difficult or impractical.

Rope access allows engineers, inspectors, and other technical professionals to reach challenging locations while minimizing disruption to the facility and surrounding operations.

From complex buildings and industrial facilities to bridges and critical infrastructure, FCSS provides professional rope access solutions tailored to the structure, scope of work, and hazards of each project.

Have a difficult-to-access project? Contact FCSS to discuss how our rope access team can help you reach it safely and efficiently.

08/12/2026

08/11/2026

SPRAT Stats 📊

In 2014, SPRAT had 3,053 certified level 1 technicians. Today, that number has grown to 10,008!

Over the past 12 years, the SPRAT community has continued to grow alongside the rope access industry. Thank you to everyone helping grow the rope access industry and keep technicians safe around the world!

08/04/2026

NEW ARRIVAL | COURANT CROSS PRO™ 60L GEAR BAG

We're excited to announce that the new Courant CROSS PRO™ 60L Gear Bag is now in stock at First Choice Safety Solutions: Safety, Rescue, Access, Training and Gear

Designed for professionals who expect more from their equipment, the CROSS PRO combines rugged durability with an intelligently organized layout that keeps your gear protected and ready to deploy.

✔️ 60L certified capacity
✔️ Carries up to 110 lbs (50 kg) of equipment
✔️ Holds up to 260 m (850 ft) of 11 mm rope
✔️ Six configurable mesh storage pockets
✔️ 21 attachment points for tools and accessories
✔️ Heavy-duty YKK® zippers and an adjustable padded suspension system

Available in four colors:
🟢 Black / Yellow
🔴 Red / Yellow
⚫ Black Tactical
🟢 Khaki / Orange

We're proud to be one of the first dealers with these bags in stock and ready to ship.

🛒 Order yours today:
https://shop.firstchoicesafetysolutions.com/?s=OURANT+CROSS+PRO&post_type=product

07/25/2026

We're Growing. Join Our Team.

First Choice Safety Solutions: Safety, Rescue, Access, Training and Gear is expanding, and we're looking for experienced professionals who want to build a career!

We're hiring full-time:
• Rescue & Safety Supervisors
• Industrial Rescue Technicians
• Part-Time project based positions available as well!

We're looking for candidates with backgrounds in:
• Volunteer or Career Fire Service
• Technical Rescue
• Rope Access
• Industrial Safety
• Construction & Skilled Trades
• Emergency Services
• Military

These positions are based in Mystic, Connecticut and include:

✅ Guaranteed minimum of 40 hours per week
✅ Competitive pay with overtime opportunities
✅ Paid vacation & holidays
✅ Health benefits
✅ Company-paid training and professional development
✅ Extensive seasonal travel opportunities ✅ Clear path for career advancement

If you're the type of professional who takes pride in your work, enjoys solving problems, and wants to be part of a team that supports some of the most challenging industrial projects in the country, we'd like to hear from you.

Send your resume and certifications to: [email protected]

Please share this post with anyone who may be a good fit.

IMPORTANT APPLICANT INFORMATION

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. First Choice Safety Solutions does not sponsor work visas or provide employment sponsorship for these positions.

07/24/2026

Our 2nd sold out July Rope Access course is officially complete!

Congratulations to all these new rope access technicians!

DC9 Finishing Trades Institute

As a , First Choice Safety Solutions is proud to deliver world-class SPRAT training backed by real-world rescue, access, and safety experience.

First Choice Safety Solutions: Safety, Rescue, Access, Training and Gear

If you're ready to elevate your career or bring rope access capabilities to your organization send us a message or check out our monthly class schedule on our website: https://shop.firstchoicesafetysolutions.com/events/

07/23/2026

Last week, First Choice Safety Solutions had the privilege of partnering with Jag Industrial & Marine Services at the Ketchikan Shipyard to deliver our Confined Space Rescue Technician program and support the development of their internal Emergency Response Team.

Throughout the week, participants progressed from foundational skills to realistic, scenario-based rescue evolutions that tested their technical abilities, teamwork, and decision-making under pressure. Their professionalism, commitment, and drive to learn were evident throughout the program.

A capable Emergency Response Team isn't built in a day! it's built through realistic training, repetition, and a commitment to continuous improvement. We're proud to have helped JAG strengthen its emergency response capabilities and invest in the safety of its people.

Thank you to the entire Jag team for your hospitality, hard work, and dedication. We appreciate the opportunity to be part of your journey and look forward to working together again.

First Choice Safety Solutions: Safety, Rescue, Access, Training and Gear