Life-Saving Knowledge, Delivered by Experts

You may know her as Bob’s mom - or the friendly voice on the phone - but Barb McNellis is an essential part of the Take Action Safety team. After retiring from a 24-year career as a Surgical Coordinator and Billing Specialist for a large cardiothoracic surgical practice, Barb joined the company to support its growing client base.

Barb brings warmth, professionalism, and unmatched customer service to every interaction. She and her husband Robert, a retired firefighter/paramedic with 32 years of service, raised two sons who are both firefighter/paramedics and now enjoy spending time with their grandchildren.

When you call Take Action Safety, Barb is often the first person you’ll speak with - ready to answer questions, help schedule training, and ensure every client receives personalized support.

Bob McNellis is the owner and founder of Take Action Safety. He can often be found at the firehouse, on the road teaching lifesaving skills, or at home with his wife Katelyn and their children, Declan and Aelish.

Bob began his career in firefighting and emergency medical services in 2009. After sitting through countless uninspiring safety classes, he recognized a need for training that was engaging, practical, and memorable. With encouragement from his wife and the idea to bring training directly on-site to homes and businesses, Take Action CPR was founded in 2014.

Since then, Bob and his team have expanded operations to seven major US cities. Bob is relentless in his pursuit of delivering a five-star training experience. Outside of work, he enjoys playing drums, coaching baseball, staying active, and spending time with family.

Kyle Klimek is a working paramedic and experienced health and safety instructor who brings both professionalism and approachability to every class. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business Management before managing multiple Chicagoland health and fitness centers.

In 2014, Kyle made the decision to pursue a career in Emergency Medical Services after conversations with longtime friend and colleague Bob McNellis. Paramedic school quickly revealed his true passion - helping others during critical moments.

Kyle’s diverse work background and engaging sense of humor make him an effective and relatable instructor. Outside of work, he enjoys live music, playing drums and guitar, hiking, traveling, spending time with his wife Melissa and watching sunsets over the ocean.

Sabastian Koziel is a full-time firefighter/paramedic with the Bloomingdale Fire Protection District. He holds a degree in Fire Science and Emergency Medical Services and brings extensive field experience to his role as a health and safety instructor.

Sabastian is also a certified rescue diver and serves as a CPR instructor within his fire department. He enjoys teaching with Take Action Safety because it allows him to combine his real-world paramedic experience with education that empowers others to respond confidently to medical emergencies.

Outside of work, Sabastian enjoys spending time with his wife Caitlyn, an ICU nurse, and their daughter Caliana, as well as getting out on the golf course whenever possible.

Jonathan Cohon grew up in Los Angeles, where his introduction to first aid began in the Boy Scouts while earning his First Aid Merit Badge. He went on to spend more than 35 years producing still and motion pictures for commercial and manufacturing clients, where safety and risk management on film sets were essential.

Jonathan’s strong emphasis on crew training and safety resulted in a career free of serious injuries or emergencies on set. After transitioning into property management, he deepened his commitment to community safety through volunteer work as Director of Safety and Preparedness for his house of worship.

A strong advocate for civilian emergency response, Jonathan continues to expand his skill set and leadership in preparedness education. He is honored to help others gain the confidence and knowledge needed to respond effectively during emergencies.

Elisabeth Cohon was born and raised in Los Angeles, where emergency preparedness is a way of life. She began learning CPR and First Aid at a young age, first as a Girl Scout earning her First Aid badge and later achieving the organization’s highest honor, the Gold Award. As a senior scout, Elisabeth trained and evaluated younger scouts in basic survival and emergency response skills.

Later, while serving as a college professor in Los Angeles, Elisabeth chaired the Work Environment and Safety & Preparedness Committees for a campus of more than 10,000 students, helping lead large-scale safety initiatives. Now living in Indiana with her husband Jonathan, also a Take Action Safety instructor, Elisabeth remains actively involved in House of Worship Safety and Preparedness planning and training.

Elisabeth’s passion for lifesaving education is deeply personal. As a child, she survived two choking emergencies, experiences that shaped her strong advocacy for modern, evidence-based choking response techniques. She is committed to empowering others with the confidence and skills to respond effectively in emergencies.

Nicole Franklin is a certified First Aid/CPR/AED instructor with a unique background spanning media, communications, and public safety. While working in the television and film industry, Nicole began training employee teams, new parents, camp counselors, and caregivers on weekends, blending clear communication with practical life saving instruction.

Nicole spent more than 30 years as a local and network news video editor in Los Angeles and New York, contributing to Emmy Award–winning teams including NBC Nightly News and CBS Sunday Morning. After relocating to the Midwest, she continued her career as an award-winning independent filmmaker, podcast host, author, freelance journalist, and communications director in Southern Illinois.

She also served as a Public Information Officer (PIO II) for the City of St. Louis Department of Public Safety, managing strategic communications for multiple divisions, including the Fire Department and Office of Violence Prevention. Seeking a more hands-on role in safety, Nicole trained alongside healthcare professionals and paramedics to become instructor-certified through both the American Red Cross and Health & Safety Institute (HSI). She brings clarity, professionalism, and real-world perspective to every class.

Melissa “Missy” Bresnahan is a full-time firefighter/paramedic with the New Lenox Fire Protection District, bringing 15 years of paramedic experience and 13 years in the fire service. Her career has been built on dedication to emergency response, community service, and helping others in their most critical moments.

Missy is also an active member of Project Fire Buddies, supporting children battling rare illnesses. When she’s not on duty, she enjoys spending time with her partner Anna, an ER nurse, their two dogs Darla and Max, and their cat Seamus. A self-proclaimed foodie and travel enthusiast, Missy loves exploring new places and experiences.

With extensive first hand experience responding to emergencies, Missy understands how critical CPR and First Aid skills truly are. She is passionate about helping students build confidence and take action when it matters most.

Ryan Bennett brings over 20 years of real-world emergency response experience to the Take Action Safety team. He began his career as a firefighter-paramedic in 1994, serving communities throughout the Chicagoland area. Over the years, Ryan gained extensive experience across various departments and environments, developing a deep respect for the diverse communities he served.

In 2017, Ryan sustained a career-ending injury and was granted a disability pension the following year. While his time in the fire service ended, his commitment to helping others did not. He transitioned into his next chapter with Take Action Safety, where he now shares the knowledge, skills, and perspective gained throughout his distinguished career.

Ryan is passionate about delivering safety training that is engaging, practical, and easy to retain, ensuring every participant leaves confident and prepared to respond in critical moments.

Outside of work, Ryan enjoys spending time with his wife, their four children, and their two dogs. He is an avid guitar player, enjoys reading scripture, and stays active through regular exercise.