Behind the Scenes of an Emergency Medical Responder: Saving Lives with Speed and Skill

An Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) is a healthcare professional who is trained to provide immediate medical care in emergency situations. EMRs are often the first healthcare providers to arrive on the scene of an emergency, and they work closely with other healthcare professionals to ensure that patients receive the appropriate care and treatment. EMRs are trained to provide basic life support measures, including administering CPR, controlling bleeding, treating shock, managing spinal injuries, and stabilizing fractures. They are also trained to manage patients with a variety of medical emergencies, including cardiac arrest, respiratory distress, and trauma. Here are some of the typical job functions of an EMR:

1. Assess the situation:

The first step for an EMR is to assess the situation for hazards that can harm themselves, their partners, and their patients, and determine the nature of the emergency. They need to determine the level of medical attention needed and make quick decisions based on their assessment.

2. Stabilize Patients:

EMRs are trained to stabilize patients by maintaining their airways and providing necessary interventions such as assisted ventilations, medical oxygen, life-threatening bleeding, and medication.

2. Administer First Aid:

EMRs are trained to provide basic-intermediate-advanced first aid such as CPR, wound management, and immobilization of injured patients.

4. Communicate with the medical team:

EMRs communicate vital information to the medical team, such as the patient's vital signs, symptoms, and any other relevant medical history.

5. Provide Emotional Support:

EMRs provide emotional support to patients and their families during times of crisis. They should be compassionate and empathetic, helping to ease the stress and anxiety that often come with medical emergencies.

6. Document the incident:

EMRs must document the incident, including vital signs, patient history, and any medical interventions administered.

7. Transport Patients:

EMRs are responsible for transporting patients to medical facilities safely. Overall, the role of an EMR is crucial in emergency medical situations, and they must be well-trained, quick-thinking, and compassionate individuals. EMRs work in a variety of settings, including ambulance services, fire departments, and hospitals. They play a critical role in the healthcare system by providing immediate medical care to patients in emergency situations, and their actions can often make the difference between life and death.

The road to EMR certification can be confusing. The EMR program is different in provinces like BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. The Canadian Red Cross EMR, AFA, or FR curriculum is identical across Canada but provincial standards and must be taught in respective provinces. At Delta Emergency, we understand what certifications you need for your future career, how and where to obtain them, and what type of work will be available to you when you’re fully certified. Reach out with questions!

This is a basic and generalized overview of Emergency Medical Responders across North America. When in doubt, follow your local protocols! Contact us if you have any specific questions about the EMR scope of practice and career path in Alberta. We are industry experts and have been working full time in EMS for years.

At Delta Emergency Support Training we are happy to answer any questions you may have about becoming an EMR. We provide training sessions for individuals or classes. We have options for in person, hybrid or online classes for Standard First Aid (SFA) Advanced First Aid (AFA) and Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) courses. For all inquiries please email info@deltaemergency.com