About us
Creating a culture of preparedness....
Founded in 2023 in the wake of the global pandemic, The Ospiria Group emerged from a shared observation: individuals and organizations alike were increasingly seeking meaningful, high‑quality training and resources to better prepare for disasters and emergencies yet struggled to find trusted partners who could deliver them. Recognizing this gap, a diverse team of professionals, drawn from law enforcement, fire/rescue, emergency management, medical and healthcare fields, environmental health and safety, and related industries, came together with a common purpose. United by the belief that preparedness saves lives and strengthens communities, The Ospiria Group was built to bring practical readiness solutions to every corner of daily life, from everyday individuals and families to complex organizational environments.
Today, our network of companies combines deep experience and real‑world expertise to make preparedness accessible, effective, and actionable. Whether it’s organizational safety and emergency planning through Ospiria Training and Consulting Solutions, lifesaving first aid and response skills via Prepare Illinois, or practical personal defense and situational awareness training with Praxis Defensive Concepts, our instructors and consultants leverage decades of professional experience to empower people and teams to act confidently in crisis situations. At our core, we share a vision of creating safer, more resilient communities, working collaboratively with clients to build the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to thrive before, during, and after an emergency.
How prepared are we?
46%
Only 46% of Americans have any emergency plan in place, even though 90% say that it is critical to be prepared in an emergency
*September 2025 - Talker Research
How does training help?
▲3.4x
Bystanders who had previous experience/training were 3.4 times more likely to intervene in an emergency than those without previous training.
*May 2011 - PubMed - NIH Library
What are the top barriers to preparedness?
**2024-204 FEMA National Household Survey, 2025 SafeHome Preparedness Study.
Meet Our Team
Levi Gotte,
Managing Member / Principal Consultant
With a diverse background encompassing emergency management, public safety, and operational leadership over the last 19 years, Levi brings a wealth of experience to our consulting team. From directing information management activities within federal emergency response teams to managing day-to-day operations for local public safety agencies, his expertise spans across various sectors and multiple disciplines. With a strong focus on overseeing field services functions, training coordination, and emergency operations, he is committed to providing strategic guidance and practical solutions to optimize your organization's efficiency and resilience. As an instructor, he is dedicated to empowering teams with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in dynamic environments and providing them with the skills to respond during an emergency.
Michael Hoffer,
Safety & Medical Consultant
Michael is a proactive and results-oriented professional with a robust background in Occupational Health and Safety. With expertise in E-911, Fire Protection, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), EPA and OSHA compliance, he brings a wealth of experience in incident investigation, root cause analysis, and implementation of corrective actions. His dedication to ensuring workplace safety and promoting a culture of health and wellness has consistently driven tangible improvements across diverse industries and organizational settings. With a hands-on approach and a commitment to continuous learning and instruction, he is passionate about empowering teams to achieve and exceed safety objectives.
Craig French,
Public Safety Consultant
Craig is a law enforcement and fire protection professional with over three decades of dedicated service. He has held numerous roles, including tactical officer, school resource officer, investigator, firearms instructor, firefighter and emergency medical technician. His qualifications are further bolstered by specialized training from top institutions, including the FBI and the Illinois State Police Academy. Craig's commitment to education and safety extends through his role as an instructor for various law enforcement agencies and organizations, where he shares his expertise in everything from active shooter to emergency medical response.
Jessica Gotte,
Operations & Training Coordinator
With over 25 years of experience as a healthcare provider and several years as an independent business owner, Jessica brings a unique blend of medical expertise and organizational knowledge to our team. From overseeing logistical details to developing impactful training programs for our clients, Jessica is committed to ensure that every customer receives the service and attention that they deserve.