First responder

A first responder is a person who has completed advanced first aid training and is able to administer first aid to someone in a medical emergency. The health communication centre contacts the first responder to tell them to go to the person in distress to stabilize their health condition while waiting for ambulance services to arrive.

Emergency paramedical technicians take over responsibility for interventions as soon as they arrive on the scene.

Depending on their level of training, a first responder may be qualified to:

• administer first aid
• use an automated external defibrillator when a person is in cardiac arrest
• administer medication in the event of a severe allergic reaction
• give medication in the event of the onset of medical symptoms in a person who has diabetes
• administer medication in the event of possible intoxication from opioid medication

There are three levels of first responders:

• Level 1: The person is trained to respond quickly in an emergency situation when the response time has a direct effect on the risk of mortality or sequelae. Therefore, they may intervene in a case of:
  • cardiorespiratory arrest
  • airway obstruction
  • allergic reaction
  • opioid intoxication
  • hypoglycemia
  • severe bleeding
• Level 2: In addition to having Level 1 skills, the person is trained to intervene in a complex traumatic situation, in particular to:
  • control major hemorrhage
  • perform deep wound care
  • ensure immobilization in the event of fractures
• Level 3: The person has advanced skills to manage critical medical emergencies and exceptional situations such as emergency deliveries or medical crises in particular settings (exposure to chemicals or industrial hazards).

Not all Québec municipalities have a first responder service, but new services are added every year. Québec has around 6,270 first responders in more than 333 municipalities. To find out if there is a first responder service in your municipality and how it works, contact the integrated health and social services centre (CISSS) or integrated university health and social services centre (CIUSSS) in your area. For the Montréal and Laval areas, contact Urgences-santé.

For support in the funding process and the implementation of new first responder services or the renewal of an existing agreement, consult the documents related to the “Entente et financement d'un service de premiers répondants” (in French only).