Red Cross Emergency Medical Responder

What is the Emergency Medical Responder Course?

The Red Cross Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) program provides the knowledge and skills necessary in an emergency to help sustain life, reduce pain, and minimize the consequences of injury or sudden illness in a pre-hospital setting. This program is for those providing emergency response; these may include firefighters, law-enforcement officers, workplace responders, and emergency medical services (EMS) personnel. Includes CPR level BLS.

This course is approximately 80-92 hours, with additional training and preparation available if the participant wants to obtain EMR licensing.

Canadian Red Cross Emergency Medical Responder has been approved by the B.C. Emergency Medical Attendant Licensing Board (EMALB) for EMR licensing. This course includes Basic Life Support level CPR, AED, and Spinal Management.

This course includes all current Schedule 1 & 2 scope expansion requirements, so when you got your license we will send in all your extra credentials to be added onto your License.

Intention

Course participants are trained to lead pre-hospital care of injured workers prior to arrival of higher level of care:

• Increased expertise in diagnostics and intervention approaches to patient care
• Effective interaction between attendants, employers and workers
• Efficient co-operation with higher levels of medical care, such as the BC Ambulance Service and hospital emergency personnel
• Preparation and certification for application to EMLAB and BC Ambulance

Who Should take this Course?

This course is the highest level of first aid training currently taught in Canada. This course is designed for:

• Individuals applying for Paramedical training (PCP)
• Firefighters or individuals applying to become one
• Individuals who wish to challenge their Advanced First Aid capabilities
• Individuals who wish to work in remote situations
• Individuals who live or stay more than 60 minutes from a hospital or urgent care centre
• Small community first responders

Prerequisites

Participants will be required to have, at minimum, a certification in Standard First Aid with CPR C. Students will also benefit from taking a Basic Life Support (CPR-BLS) course prior to the first day of class.

There are many technical concepts and an expectation of a higher level of care withing the course, having these fundamental skills before this program will greatly enhance the experience and your learning outcome.

Course content:

What you will Receive with this Course

• A Canadian Red Cross certificate in Emergency Medical Responder – valid for 3 years
• A Canadian Red Cross certificate in Basic Life Support – valid for 1 year
  • You will be issued a temporary 30 certificate immediately on completion of the course
  • Your official certification will be sent via email link within 30 days after your course completion
• A paper version of the Professional Responder Training Manual
• A CPR pocket mask

What you get during Instruction

• A large classroom but small class size
• Attentive and experienced instructor care
• More realistic simulations with extra props and real tools
• Spaces to relax before, during breaks and after your class
• Free WiFi and electronic charging stations
• Free coffee and tea during all open hours of the site
• A selection of snacks and treats for a small donation

Certification

Upon completion of all components of the Emergency Medical Responder course, students will obtain a certification in Emergency Medical Responder (3-year certification) and Basic Life Support (1-year certification). This gives you the training and skills to work in challenging situations, or to apply for licensing through EMLAB.

Recertification

When your certification is nearing its date of expiration (recommended 3 months prior), all ticket holders are welcome to attend a recertification program. This option is a 40 hour (week 2) program designed to refresh skills and update the student with any changes in programing standards since their last ticket.

The added benefit to recertification, not just time savings but significantly less cost. However, you will still be required to attend all 5 days, show full participation, and pass the required written and practical examinations for recertification.

Please note: In order to qualify for the recertification program the individual must attend the first day of class prior to their ticket expiring. Should the certificate holder have an expired ticket, the recertification option is no longer available and the student must retake the program in full.

Why Train with Be Prepared First Aid?

Be Prepared First Aid Vancouver Island provides professional, practical, and student-focused first aid training. Our instructors bring real-world emergency response experience into the classroom and help students build confidence before they are needed in an actual emergency.

• 20+ years of proven training and first aid experience
• Hands-on practical learning
• Clear, supportive instruction
• Central Victoria training location
• On-site group training options available

Pre-course Preparation

Having CPR-BLS, when entering into the Red Cross Emergency Medical Responder Program would really be very helpful, but not necessary to enter into the program. Once registered you will receive an email with access to study materials.

Licensing

Learners who have completed the EMR Program and have certified must license with the Emergency Medical Association Licensing Board in order to work as an EMR in BC. Costs for the EMA EMR exam are approximately $450.
Learners have one year after their EMR class completion date to pass their licensing exams.  Learners who miss the one year deadline to license and who completed the EMR Program within three years must complete the EMR Renewal course before re-applying for licensure.

Course Certificates/Transcripts

As per the EMA Regulation Section 2(c)(ii), all candidates must successfully complete all of the required licensing examinations within 12 months of completing their training program. If a candidate has not completed their examinations within the required time frame, their examination file will be closed without exception.
To limit the delay in the examination process, EMR certificates may be received directly from the candidate under the following circumstances:
The training institution has an online platform where EMALB can verify the certificate

• EMA Licensing Practical Exam Schedule
  1. Submit electronically the Application for Licence form to register for exams and choose your preferred practical exam location.
  2. Submit your certificate by attaching to your application form above or by email to [email protected].
  3. Obtain a BCeID. Please use only lowercase characters in your BCeID username. (If you already have a BCeID and password you may skip this step).
  4. Please use your BCeID username and password to create a new account in the online learning system (it may take up to 2 weeks to be granted access).
  5. Read the BC provincial examination guidelines for PCPs and EMRs.
  6. Successfully complete both the EMR written and jurisprudence exams online.
  7. Once your online exams have been successfully completed the branch will schedule your practical examination.

Materials

When registered and paid for the course, we will send the student a link for the electronic book, which can be printed if wanted or brought to class on a tablet, those that take the full EMR course will be getting the Red Cross Professional Responder book. When upgrading or recertifying there will be class books available for use during class hours or the option to buy the book for $75.

This course includes all 2023/2024 Schedule 1 & 2 scope expansion requirements, so when you got your license we will send in all your extra credentials to be added onto your License.