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First Responder Training
Designed for emergency responders and public safety professionals, Canadian Red Cross First Responder provides comprehensive emergency care training that bridges the gap between Standard First Aid and Emergency Medical Responder.
Is First Responder the Right Level of Training?
First Responder is designed for individuals who are expected to provide immediate emergency medical care until paramedics arrive. It is widely recognized across Canada for firefighters, police officers, industrial emergency response teams, search and rescue personnel and other professional responders requiring advanced first aid skills.
Perfect For
• Firefighters
• Police Officers
• Industrial Response Teams
• Athletic Therapists
What You'll Learn
• 5--Day course
• Patient assessment & vital signs
• Trauma management
• Oxygen administration
Airway Management
Ready to Register
Browse upcoming course dates and register in just a few minutes.
How Does First Responder Compare?
Not every workplace requires the same level of emergency response training. Here’s how First Responder compares to Standard First Aid and Emergency First Aid.
Standard First Aid
Comprehensive first aid and CPR training for workplaces, community members and those requiring intermediate-level certification.
Best For
- Office & administrative staff
- Construction & skilled trades
- Teachers & childcare providers
- Coaches & recreation staff
- Workplace first aid attendants
At a Glance
Duration
- 16-hour classroom course OR
- 8-hour blended course
Certification
Canadian Red Cross certification valid for 3 years
Includes
- CPR Level C
- Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
- Canadian Red Cross digital guide
- Canadian Red Cross First Aid app
First Responder
Advanced emergency-care training for firefighters, police, industrial response teams and others expected to provide care until paramedics arrive.
Best For
- Firefighters
- Police officers
- Industrial Emergency Response Teams
- Search & Rescue personnel
- Security & public safety professionals
At a Glance
Duration
- 40-hour classroom course OR
- 24-hour recertification course
Certification
Canadian Red Cross certification valid for 3 years
Includes
- BLS for healthcare providers
- Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
- Advanced patient assessments
- Airway Management
- Oxygen Therapy
- Trauma Management
- Sceneario-based experiential learning
- Canadian Red Cross Emergency Care Manual
What You'll Learn
First Responder training prepares you to think critically, assess patients systematically, and provide advanced emergency care until Emergency Medical Services arrive. You’ll leave with practical skills, confidence, and experience gained through realistic scenario-based training.
You'll Learn How To...
- Perform a structured patient assessment
- Manage medical and traumatic emergencies
- Administer oxygen safely
- Use airway adjuncts and suction equipment
- Stabilize spinal and musculoskeletal injuries
- Work effectively as part of a response team
You'll Be Ready To...
- Take command during medical emergencies
- Communicate effectively with EMS
- Prioritize patient care under pressure
- Manage emergencies until advanced care arrives
- Apply critical thinking in dynamic situations
- Protect the safety of patients and responders
Why Train With LifeShield?
Professional responders need more than certification—they need the confidence to assess patients, make decisions under pressure, and work effectively as part of a team. That’s the standard we teach to every First Responder student.
Emergency Services Instructors
Our instructors bring real-world experience from fire, EMS, healthcare and emergency response. Training is built around the realities you’ll face—not just textbook scenarios.
Understand the "Why"
You’ll learn why first aid techniques work—not just what to do. When you understand the reasoning behind each action, you’re better prepared to remember your training and adapt when every emergency is different.
Learn by Doing
Build confidence through repeated hands-on practice using professional equipment, patient assessments and instructor-guided scenarios that reinforce every skill.
Scenario-Based Learning
Develop your skills through realistic medical and trauma scenarios that challenge your decision-making, communication and teamwork in a controlled learning environment.
READY TO REGISTER?
Choose How You'd Like to Take First Responder Training
Select your training format and location to view upcoming course dates and availability.
TRADITIONAL CLASSROOM
Classroom Training
Complete your First Responder training in a 5-day instructor-led classroom session.
- 5-Day Course
- BLS and AED
- Oxygen and airway management
- Trauma & medical emergencies
- Scenario-based learning
CERTIFICATION RENEWAL
Recertification
Renew your eligible Canadian Red Cross First Responder certification through an intensive recertification program designed for experienced responders.
- 3-Day Course
- Practical scenario evaluation
- Maintain professional certification
CHOOSE YOUR LOCATION
First Responder Course Dates
Select your training format above, then choose your preferred training location to view upcoming dates and availability.
TRADITIONAL CLASSROOM
Full Certification Dates
Complete First Responder in a 5-day instructor-led classroom session. Choose your preferred training dates.
RENEW YOUR CERTIFICATION
Recertification Dates
Complete First Responder recertification in a 3-day instructor-led classroom session. Choose your preferred training dates.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
First Responder FAQ
Find answers to common questions about Canadian Red Cross First Responder training, certification and recertification.
Canadian Red Cross First Responder is designed for people who may be required to provide immediate emergency medical care before paramedics arrive. It is ideal for firefighters, police officers, industrial emergency response teams, search and rescue personnel, security professionals and others working in high-risk environments.
The full Canadian Red Cross First Responder course is approximately 40 hours of instructor-led classroom training. Students complete hands-on practical scenarios, patient assessment, CPR, AED use, oxygen administration, trauma management and emergency medical care.
Yes. Eligible participants can renew their Canadian Red Cross First Responder certification by completing a First Responder Recertification course. Recertification helps maintain your knowledge and ensures your skills remain aligned with current Canadian Red Cross standards.
No. Standard First Aid is not a prerequisite for Canadian Red Cross First Responder. The course is designed to provide all of the knowledge and practical skills required for individuals expected to provide emergency medical care before EMS arrives.
Yes. LifeShield provides private First Responder training throughout Nova Scotia for fire departments, municipalities, industrial employers, security organizations and other groups requiring responder-level certification. Training can often be delivered at your workplace or training facility.
Yes. LifeShield provides private Eligible participants may renew their certification through a LifeShield Canadian Red Cross First Responder Recertification course before it expires.
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING PATHWAY
Where Does First Responder Fit?
First Responder bridges the gap between workplace first aid and advanced emergency medical response. It provides significantly more patient assessment, trauma management and emergency care training than Standard First Aid while serving as the foundation for higher-level responder programs.
Training a Group or Workplace?
Need Emergency First Aid training for your team? We offer convenient on-site training for workplaces and groups throughout Halifax Regional Municipality.