Register Today

120-hour Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) program in Victoria and Nanaimo, with BLS, EMALB Schedule 1 and 2, and licensing prep.

Emergency Medical Responder (EMR)

120-hour Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) program in Victoria and Nanaimo, with BLS, EMALB Schedule 1 and 2, and licensing prep.

4.9★★★★★(14,900+ Google Reviews across BC)

Start your career in emergency medical services with our 120-hour Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) course in BC. This Columbia Medical Training program includes BLS and full EMALB Schedule 1 and 2 endorsements. Choose a class in Victoria or Nanaimo, and get support from our EMR community right through EMALB licensing.

Book Now Request a Private Course

What students should expect

Who is it for? Future paramedics, firefighters, industrial first aid attendants, ski patrol, and event medics. EMR is also a pathway to Primary Care Paramedic (PCP).

Plan for about 18 hours of pre-course work, then 15 days in class. You'll need to pass one written and two practical exams in trauma and medical scenarios. Already hold FR or OFA 3? See ourEMR upgrade in Nanaimo.

Licensing support

Support through licensing. After the course, you can join our community of past Alert EMR students and EMR instructors. Members share information, answer questions, and organize practice sessions to prepare for the EMALB licensing exams.

Licensing exams are booked and paid for through EMALB. A licensed EMR is recognized by WorkSafeBC as equivalent to Advanced First Aid (OFA 3). Ask us about scholarships for advanced courses.

Why book with Alert First Aid

Vancouver Island classrooms — Victoria (Downtown, Tillicum Centre) and Nanaimo.

We come to you — private EMR programs for fire departments and industry across anywhere in BC.

Support until you're licensed

Optional access to our EMR community for questions, shared tips, and practice sessions. Over 90% licensing pass rate.

BC Google Reviews

4.9★★★★★Based on 14,900+ Google reviews

★★★★★

"…I learned so much during this EMR course—not just the theory, but also the practical skills and confidence needed for emergency response…"

Valentine N.

Victoria Tillicum Centre

★★★★★

"Best course I’ve ever taken, did the emr with Sabrina and had the best time of my life and learned a lot about the medical field!"

Benjamin B.

Nanaimo Downtown

★★★★★

"Mike and Brandon were excellent first aid teachers for the EMR course. The combination of wilderness and ambulance experience from the two allowed a well rounded education."

Liam O.

Victoria Tillicum Centre

Full Course Length 18 hours online + 15 days (120 hours) in class Register Now

Course Details

Course Content

Our 120-hour Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) course is a Columbia Medical Training program with full EMALB Schedule 1 and 2 endorsements, BLS, and Scope Update. It prepares you for EMALB licensing and work in ambulance, fire, and industrial roles.

Plan for up to 20 hours of pre-course work and 15 days in class. Students buy the required textbook, Emergency Medical Responder: A Skills Approach, 5th Canadian Edition, before the course. Topics include:

Patient assessment
Critical decision-making
Trauma life support
Medical emergencies
BLS & AED
Airway management
Oxygen therapy
Team-based scenarios

Need EMR Training for Your Team?

Alert First Aid brings Emergency Medical Responder directly to your workplace, team, or group — anywhere in BC. Private group courses come with flexible scheduling and volume pricing, and we've trained over 200,000 people across BC.

Request a Group Quote

FAQs

How hard is it to pass the Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) Course?

The EMR course is challenging but achievable with dedication. To succeed, you must pass both a written exam and two practical exams. The practical exams are often the most difficult, requiring you to treat patients in simulated trauma and medical scenarios up to the EMR standard of care. Success typically comes with completing the pre-course assignment, staying engaged in the classroom, and dedicating time to practice. If you're unsure whether EMR certification is right for you, contact us to discuss your concerns.

How much pre-course work is required for the EMR course?

You should expect to spend a minimum of 10 to 24 hours on the pre-course assignment, depending on how much time you dedicate. We recommend focusing on key chapters in the provided workbook to get the most out of the course.

What job opportunities are there for an Emergency Medical Responder in BC?

EMR certification opens up various job opportunities in BC, including positions with ski patrol, private ambulance services, sports medicine, event medicine, and fire departments. Completing the EMALB licensing process expands your options further, allowing you to work with BC Ambulance Services or as an Occupational First Aid Attendant for industrial sites.

Where can I get more information about the skills required for the EMR course?

The skills you will learn are detailed in the course outline provided during registration. For more information, feel free to contact us, and we can guide you through the specific competencies covered in the course.

What can I do if I can’t afford the EMR course?

We understand that the cost to successfully complete a responder program is significant in both time and money. If you feel that you need financial assistance in order to start your healthcare career, please visit our main home page where you will find a link to apply for Scholarships for Advanced Courses in the banner.

What does the Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) program cover?

Our EMR program provides comprehensive training in emergency medical services, covering essential skills such as trauma life support, basic life support (BLS), and patient assessment skills. It is a prerequisite for anyone looking to advance to roles in paramedicine, firefighting, or industrial emergency response.

Is the EMR course a prerequisite for other paramedic training programs?

Yes, the Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) course is a prerequisite for advancing to the Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) program or other paramedic training courses. Completing the EMR program is the first step toward building your career in emergency medical services.

Does the EMR training include Red Cross certification?

While our EMR program is not part of the Red Cross curriculum, it includes certifications such as basic life support (BLS) and meets the Emergency Medical Assistants Licensing Board (EMALB) requirements for EMR scope of practice in British Columbia.

How does the Emergency Medical Responder program help prepare for real-life emergencies?

The EMR training program includes a blend of self-directed learning, practical training, and scenario-based exercises. This ensures participants are confident in handling real-life emergency situations, including trauma life support and other essential emergency care skills.

What certifications do I receive after completing the EMR program?

Upon the successful completion of our EMR program, you will receive digital certificates for Basic Life Support (BLS) and Emergency Medical Responder. These certifications are the necessary credentials to apply for EMALB licensing exams. This prepares you for employment opportunities in emergency medical services throughout BC.

Certification

Pass a written exam and practical exam, along with all practical skills to earn your digital Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) certificate from Columbia Medical Training. Your EMR certificate includes full EMALB Schedule 1 and 2 endorsements and the Scope Update, and it's the credential you need to apply for EMALB licensing exams. Licensing is a separate step, booked and paid for through EMALB. Once licensed, an EMR is recognized by WorkSafeBC as equivalent to Advanced First Aid (OFA 3).

Training Schedules & Locations

Victoria Victoria - Tillicum Centre Nanaimo Nanaimo - Downtown

Materials

The required course textbook is Emergency Medical Responder: A Skills Approach, Fifth Canadian Edition by Limmer, Karen et al. Students can choose to purchase either an e-book or a hardcopy of the text. This can be done directly through the publisher here, or students are free to source this themselves. Please note that this must be purchased in advance and the school does not sell this book or keep any copies on site.

The Alert Advantage

Free Manual + App

Deep Discounts

3-Year Guarantee

Replacement certs

Learn More

Who should take this course?

Future paramedics (PCP applicants)
Career & volunteer firefighters
BC Ambulance Service applicants
Private ambulance & patient transport
Industrial first aid attendants
Remote & industrial site medics
Ski patrollers
Event & sports medicine staff
Search & rescue volunteers
Police & corrections officers
Nursing & pre-med students
Anyone starting an EMS career

Looking for a group class?

If you have a group of people and would like us to come to you to teach a
Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) course, we offer this course in the following locations:

Give us a call at 1.866.282.5378, or send us an email at info@alertfirstaid.com to arrange a group course.

I have taken several first aid courses over the years. This was by far the best. I would recommend Alert!

Adena Cronk Emergency First Aid, Victoria, BC More Testimonials

"Great supportive environment geared toward progressive learning with consistent constructive feedback. A great week and experience. Thank you!"

Sean Davids First-Aid Instructor Course, Victoria, B.C. More Testimonials

Thank you for teaching in a humorous fun way it made the long day enjoyable.

Byron Knight Emergency First-Aid, Victoria, BC More Testimonials

Thank you Gary, lots of enthusiasm and you talked in a gentle way and kept the course interesting. I appreciate the time you took to answer our questions.

Ally Ehmann Standard First Aid, Victoria, BC More Testimonials

Great course, I like the hands on approach. Jason kept it engaging and dynamic, and was very knowledgeable on all questions.

Nicki Pederson Emergency Childcare First Aid, Victoria, BC More Testimonials

Excellent teacher. Always paused and asked 'any questions?' Great technique of questionning and trying to make us come up with the answers. Good simulations.

Cecily Emergency First-Aid, Victoria, BC More Testimonials

1-800-567-8911!! Jason was a great instructor. We learned a tonne and I would highly recommend this course! Thank you so much! We'll be taking more classes in the future like the toddler one!

Sydney Martin Infant First Aid, Victoria, BC More Testimonials

"Jason was fantastiv. Very animated and had positive energy. Jill was also a wonderful teacher.. Very nice and helpful. Love that the course was mostly practical work."

Katie Lysejko Standard First-Aid, Victoria, B.C. More Testimonials

I felt Nathan made the class fun, kept our attention and took time to explain when someone didn’t understand. The class covered all basic emerg. procedures but didn’t overwhelm.

Amber Layton Standard First Aid, Victoria, BC More Testimonials

Perfect teaching! Interactive – even fun! Informative – repetitive – won’t forget material taught because basics are so reinforced and superfluous left out.

Anny Ruch Standard First Aid, Victoria, BC More Testimonials