Craig De Meillon

1. Who are you? Where are you from? How did you get into the profession you are in?

I’m Craig, originally from Australia, now based in the U.S. My path into safety and emergency response didn’t come from one moment — it came from a pattern of being drawn to situations where people needed help.

I started in aviation as cabin crew and later became a safety trainer, where I learned how quickly things can escalate and how much preparation matters. At the same time, I trained as a firefighter and EMT, which led me into disaster response work.

Over the last decade, I’ve worked in hurricanes, earthquakes, and other high-risk environments. What keeps me in this field is simple — when things go wrong, I want to be someone who can step in and make a difference.

2. What does safety mean to you?

Safety, to me, is a mindset more than anything else.

It’s not about being paranoid — it’s about being aware. It’s about noticing the small things before they become big problems and having a plan, even if it’s just in the back of your mind.

In every environment I’ve worked in, the people who stay safest aren’t always the most experienced — they’re the ones paying attention.

3. From your field and/or experiences, what is something that you would want everyone to know to help them stay safe?

Things go wrong faster than people expect.

Most emergencies don’t feel like emergencies at first — they feel like something small, something manageable, until suddenly they’re not.

If there’s one thing I’d want people to take away, it’s this: don’t wait for confirmation that something is dangerous. Trust your instincts early, slow things down, and give yourself time to think.

That moment of hesitation — in a good way — can change everything.

4. Why do you think safety and rescue equipment is important?

Because when you need it, you really need it.

In emergencies, you don’t get a second chance to go grab the right tool. You don’t get extra time to figure it out. It’s either there, or it’s not.

I’ve seen situations where people had every intention of helping themselves or others, but didn’t have the means to do it. And that’s a hard thing to witness.

Good equipment doesn’t just make things easier — it makes action possible.

5. How did you come across the resqme car escape tool? If so, how do you use it in your line of work or daily life?

I first saw a tool like this during Hurricane Harvey, and it stuck with me ever since.

We were trying to get into a car after the storm — someone needed to retrieve something important from inside. The vehicle was damaged, the doors wouldn’t open, and we needed to get in quickly.

I remember grabbing one of those heavy metal scooters — the kind kids ride — and using it to try and smash the window. I hit it hard, multiple times, and nothing happened. The glass just wouldn’t give.

Then a friend of mine walked up, pulled out a small glass-breaking tool, and with one quick motion — the window shattered instantly.

That moment completely changed how I think about tools.

Since then, I’ve always believed in having something small, reliable, and accessible. Because when you’re in that moment, you don’t have time to improvise.

6. What stories do you know, have experienced, or heard that made you learn the importance of safety and being prepared?

What stands out to me isn’t just one story — it’s how often the same theme repeats.

People caught off guard. Situations escalating quickly. Normal days turning into emergencies without warning.

But I’ve also seen the opposite — people who were prepared, even in small ways, and how much that changed the outcome.

Someone who knew what to do. Someone who had the right tool. Someone who stayed calm.

Those moments stick with you because you see how thin the line is between chaos and control.

7. How would you like to inspire others to stay safe?

Preparedness doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be as simple as being more aware, thinking a step ahead, or carrying something small that could make a big difference.

If I can get people to shift from “that won’t happen to me” to “if it does, I’ll be ready,” then that’s enough.

Because in an emergency, confidence comes from preparation — and that can change everything. (edited)