First Responder (FR) is ~40 hours and covers patient assessment, BLS/CPR, hemorrhage control, management of medical/trauma emergencies, and more. Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) is a more advanced program (typically 80–120 hours, depending on jurisdiction) that builds on FR and prepares you for higher-acuity responses and transport-related care.

Take FR if you’re entering public safety or support roles that require foundational pre-hospital care. Choose EMR if you need advanced patient assessment/intervention skills for emergency services or transport environments (e.g., industrial response teams, event medics). (Scope and depth per Red Cross course descriptions.)

• FR: 40 hours; Recert: ~20 hours. Canadian Red Cross

• EMR (full): 80–120 hours; Recert: ~40 hours

• FR: No prerequisites. Canadian Red Cross

• EMR (full): Current Standard First Aid with CPR Level C is required. Canadian Red Cross

• EMR bridging from FR: Requires proof of current Red Cross FR certification; offered in a condensed timeframe for qualified FRs

Yes. FR and EMR teach BLS/CPR skills and AED use; for EMR, Red Cross lists a 1-year Basic Life Support (BLS) certification in addition to the EMR credential

Red Cross FR and EMR certificates are valid for 3 years; BLS is 1 year (many employers require it to be current annually)

Red Cross completion standards require: minimum 75% on a closed-book written evaluation, successful demonstration of required skills, two evaluated scenarios (one medical, one trauma), and 100% attendance/participation.

Both courses include patient assessment, airway management and respiratory/circulatory emergencies, shock, soft-tissue and musculoskeletal trauma, head/spinal injuries, acute/chronic illnesses, special populations, crisis intervention, lifting/extrication, multiple-casualty incidents, and more (with additional depth in EMR)

Yes. Qualified FR holders can bridge to EMR through a condensed Red Cross pathway (proof of current FR certification required). We run bridging/recert dates regularly in Mississauga.

comfortable clothing for floor skills, and any pre-course modules or prerequisite proofs (e.g., SFA/CPR-C for EMR)

Red Cross issues digital certificates; timing can vary by partner/course, but certificates are typically released after all evaluations are verified. (BLS appears separately and is valid for 1 year.)

Plan on FR/EMR every 3 years and BLS every year to keep employer compliance current; if your BLS expires before your FR/EMR does, renew BLS on its own.

Yes — we post weekday, weekend, and condensed offerings on the Mississauga schedule so you can match your shift pattern

No — admissions and hiring standards vary by school/employer and province. EMR is widely recognized training, but always confirm the exact requirements with your target program or service

No — EMR requires current SFA with CPR-C on entry; renew SFA/CPR-C first, or register for our combo options when available.