Register Today

A comprehensive 80-hour first aid and CPR skills training for professional emergency medical responders.

Emergency Medical Responder (2 weeks)

Emergency Medical Responder (2 weeks)

A comprehensive 80-hour first aid and CPR skills training for professional emergency medical responders.

As of August 12, 2024, we will be teaching the 3-week Columbia Emergency Medical Responder program that includes the scope update. Click here to register. 

The Canadian Red Cross Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) course offers comprehensive training for professional responders in first aid and CPR. Successful completion of this course results in certification as a Canadian Red Cross Emergency Medical Responder. Here are key details about the course:

EMR COURSE FOCUS:

  • Pre Hospital Patient Assessment: Participants learn a structured patient assessment model to evaluate and respond to various medical situations effectively.

  • CPR: The course the skills and knowledge of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) techniques, a critical skill for medical responders.

  • Hemorrhage Control: Training includes methods to control bleeding in emergency situations.

  • Acute and Chronic Medical Conditions: Participants learn competency  to provide care for a range of acute and chronic medical conditions.

  • Patient Transport: Instruction is provided on safely packaging and transporting patients to a hospital.

  • Hands-On and Simulated Training: The course is delivered through hands-on practice, skills demonstrations, discussions, and simulated scenarios based on real-life situations.

CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

  • Participants must attend and actively participate in 100% of the course.

  • Achieve a minimum score of 75% on the closed-book written knowledge evaluation.

  • Demonstrate proficiency in skills and practical scenarios.

EMR PREREQUISITES:

  • Standard First Aid with CPR Level C certification.

  • Mandatory pre-course assignment of at least 20 hours.

ABOUT EMA LICENSING:

  • This certification fulfills the requirements for applying for a Licensed Emergency Medical Responder in British Columbia (BC).

  • The process of obtaining the license is a separate step managed through the Emergency Medical Assistants Licensing Board (EMALB). It includes submitting an application, taking an online written exam, and passing a practical evaluation.

  • The EMR course is designed to help participants prepare for the EMALB Licensing process. For more information on EMALB licening check out this blog post

  • Our previous students have been very successful with EMALB licensing we have an over 90% pass ratio

EMR TO OFA 3 FIRST AID:

  • After becoming a licenced  EMR, participants can apply for and complete a jurisprudence package outlining regulations for First Aid in BC workplaces.

  • Successful completion of this package grants a WorksafeBC OFA 3 certification at no additional cost.

  • OFA 3 certification enables individuals to work as occupational first aid attendants in remote, high-risk workplaces.

The Canadian Red Cross EMR course offers comprehensive training for professional responders, preparing them to handle a wide range of medical emergencies and contribute to workplace safety in British Columbia.

Full Course Length 80 hours
Recertification 40 hours

Course Details

Emergency Medical Responder Course 

Topics Covered

  • The Professional Responder
  • Responding to the Call
  • Infection Prevention and Control
  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Assessment
  • Airway Management and Respiratory Emergencies
  • Circulatory Emergencies
  • Shock
  • Hemorrhage and Soft Tissue Trauma
  • Musculoskeletal Injuries
  • Chest, Abdominal, and Pelvic Injuries
  • Head and Spinal Injuries
  • Acute and Chronic Illnesses
  • Poisoning
  • Environmental Illnesses
  • Pregnancy, Labour, and Delivery
  • Special Populations
  • Crisis Intervention
  • Reaching, Lifting, and Extricating Patients
  • Transportation
  • Multiple-Casualty Incidents
  • Pharmacology
  • Marine Environment
  • Workplace

FAQs

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

EMR certification is challenging! Most, but not all of our participants succeed in becoming certified. To succeed in an EMR course you must pass a written exam, as well as 2 practical exams. The practical exams are usually the most challenging. You will need to successfully treat patients up to the EMR Standard of Care in one simulated trauma scenario, and one simulated medical scenario. In order to build up the skills and confidence to pass the EMR scope of practice, most participants will need to dedicate plenty of time beforehand to complete the pre-course assignment, and be fully committed to staying physically and mentally present in the classroom during all lesson and practice time. If you aren’t sure if EMR certification is right for you, please give us a call and we’ll be happy to discuss your specific concerns.

How much pre-course work will I have to do for the EMR course

It depends on how much you want to get out of the EMR course - the more you put in, the more you take out - but expect to spend a minimum of 10 hours and up to 24 hours to complete the EMR workbook assignment. We will provide guidance as to which chapters are best to focus on if you don’t have the time to complete the entire workbook.

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

The Emergency Medical Responder course is a good start to a career in Paramedicine. EMR Graduates of the Red Cross EMR certificate will help qualify you to do some types of work in BC such as working with Ski Patrol, some private ambulance services, sports medicine and event medicine. EMR supersedes First Responder (FR) a requirement for most Fire Departments. If you choose to go through the EMALB licensing process then this will open up tremendous opportunities, where you can work on ambulance with BC Ambulance, become an Occupational First Aid Attendant for remote industrial work sites.

Certification

Canadian Red Cross Emergency Medical Responder certificates are now virtual! You will receive a temporary EMR certificate at the end of your course, and a permanent EMR certificate will be emailed to you after you've successfully completed the course. You will be able to view your manual and certification online at any time through your MyRedCross account. Certification is valid for 3 years.

Training Schedules & Locations
There are no certification classes at this time. Please check back.

Recertification

Training Schedules & Locations
There are no certification classes at this time. Please check back.

Materials

First Aid Course Materials for Emergency Medical Responder (2 weeks)

The Emergency Medical Responder course includes the following materials:

  • Canadian Red Cross Emergency Care for Professional Responders Reference Text (virtual)
  • Canadian Red Cross Emergency Medical Responder Workbook (virtual)

A hard copy of the Canadian Red Cross Emergency Care for Professional Responders Reference Text is available to purchase for an additional $178.57 + tax.

The Alert Advantage

Free Manual + App

Deep Discounts

3-Year Guarantee

Replacement certs

Learn More

Who should take this course?

  • Paramedics looking for work with BC Ambulance
  • Employment with Fire Departments
  • Those working in prehospital care
  • Applying as EMR in Private ambulance service
  • industrial first aid attendants
  • Workplace First Responders
  • rescue teams
  • ski patrol

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 (2 weeks) course, we offer this course in the following locations:

Victoria | Langford | Esquimalt | Sooke | Cobble Hill | Mill Bay | Duncan | Lake Cowichan | Cedar | Ladysmith | Nanaimo | Parksville | Qualicum Beach | Port Alberni | Coombs | Parksville | Campbell River | Saltspring Island | Pender Island | Powell River | Gabriola Isand | Burnaby | Coquitlam | Delta | Langley | Maple Ridge | New Westminster | North Vancouver | Pitt Meadows | Port Moody | Richmond | Surrey | Vancouver | West Vancouver | White Rock | Langley |

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

Great course. Very knowledgeable instructor whose ample real life experience added lots of interest to the course.

Amy Costello CPR HCP, Nanaimo, BC More Testimonials

Awesome and energy-filled teaching. Thanks for making it interesting and go fast!

Sheila Carroll Standard First Aid, Nanaimo, BC More Testimonials

Mike did an awesome job at creating scenarios to learn & apply skills in the field. Great clear and concise instruction.

Roy Scully Wilderness & Remote First Aid, Courtenay, BC More Testimonials

I found Gary to be very passionate about the subject matter. His enthusiasm helped keep the class motivated and focused. A very good course!!

Nicole Cuddy Emergency Childcare First Aid, Victoria, BC More Testimonials

Nathan's presentation was both powerful and gripping. 5 stars out of 5.

Brian Hocks CPR HCP, Victoria, BC More Testimonials

Great sense of humour made learning fun! Thanks for acknowledging our skill level and working from there.

Brown-Bentley CPR HCP, Victoria, BC More Testimonials

I've taken first-aid courses before through other institutions & I think this one was absolutely top notch. Chris was charismatic & an incredibly effective instructor. 10/10!

Kim Carnes Occupational First Aid Level 1, Victoria, BC More Testimonials

I would tell family or friends to take ALERT. A great teacher. Everything was made fun.

Shannon van Orden Standard First Aid, Victoria, BC More Testimonials

I have always done St. John Ambulance first aid training. This course was taught differently but was more effective due to more hands on training. I will definitely return to Alert First Aid for my re-certification. Thank you!!

Rene Cyr Standard First Aid, Nanaimo, BC More Testimonials

So happy I took this course. I would recommend it to others.

Amy Waines Standard First Aid, Victoria, BC More Testimonials
Back to top