About Us
Who We Are
The Association of Campus Emergency Response Teams of Canada (ACERT) is the national, federally incorporated, volunteer-run non-profit organization representing Campus Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) across Canada.
Our member organizations are student-led emergency response teams that provide first aid, emergency medical response, public education, event medical coverage, and community support on post-secondary campuses. Together, these teams respond to thousands of medical incidents each year while developing the next generation of healthcare professionals, first responders, and community leaders.
ACERT is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors composed of current and former campus emergency responders from across the country. Drawing on firsthand experience, we work collaboratively to strengthen campus emergency response programs through advocacy, education, leadership development, and national collaboration.
We believe that every campus deserves access to a safe, well-supported emergency response program, and every student responder deserves the resources, mentorship, and community needed to succeed.
What We Do
ACERT exists to support the growth, sustainability, and excellence of Campus Emergency Response Teams across Canada. We accomplish this by:
Supporting the development of new and existing Campus Emergency Response Teams.
Providing educational resources, operational guidance, and best practices.
Facilitating collaboration and communication between member organizations.
Promoting professionalism and high standards in campus emergency care.
Advocating for the important role Campus Emergency Response Teams play within Canadian post-secondary institutions.
Developing national competition standards and educational resources.
Supporting leadership development among student responders.
Building a national network where teams can share ideas, challenges, and successes.
One of ACERT’s largest initiatives is the National Conference of Campus Emergency Responders (NCCER)—Canada’s only annual conference for Campus Emergency Response Teams. NCCER brings together student responders from across the country for educational workshops, keynote speakers, networking opportunities, and a nationally standardized emergency response competition that emphasizes patient safety, professionalism, fairness, and continual learning.
Beyond the annual conference, ACERT works year-round to foster a connected national community of campus responders, encouraging mentorship, collaboration, and innovation among member organizations.
Membership Snapshot
*Learn more about our membership tiers and benefits in the membership tab of our website*
Whether your team is newly established or has decades of experience, membership provides opportunities to collaborate, learn, and grow alongside other campus emergency response organizations. Additionally, we provide our member teams with:
National Community – Connect with Campus Emergency Response Teams across Canada to share knowledge, ideas, and best practices.
Educational Resources – Access operational guidance, competition standards, training materials, and resources developed by experienced campus responders.
Professional Development – Participate in workshops, educational initiatives, and leadership opportunities designed to support student responders and executive teams.
National Conference & Competition – Attend the annual National Conference of Campus Emergency Responders (NCCER), featuring educational sessions, keynote speakers, networking opportunities, and Canada’s premier campus emergency response competition.
Support for Team Development – Receive guidance and mentorship for team operations, organizational growth, and the establishment of new Campus Emergency Response Teams.
Advocacy & Representation – Join a national organization that promotes the value of Campus Emergency Response Teams and advocates for excellence in campus emergency care.
Leadership Opportunities – Get involved with ACERT committees, conferences, and the Board of Directors, helping shape the future of campus emergency response in Canada.
Our Vision
We envision a future where every Canadian post-secondary institution has access to a thriving Campus Emergency Response Team that enhances the health, safety, and well-being of its campus community.
ACERT strives to build a connected national network of student emergency responders who are recognized for their professionalism, leadership, and commitment to compassionate emergency care. Through collaboration, education, advocacy, and innovation, we aim to empower Campus Emergency Response Teams to grow, excel, and make a lasting impact on the communities they serve.
Together, we are shaping the future of campus emergency response by fostering excellence in emergency care, developing tomorrow’s healthcare and public safety leaders, and strengthening the relationships that unite Campus Emergency Response Teams across Canada.
Our History
The idea for a national association of Campus Emergency Response Teams was first discussed during the Provincial Emergency First Response Team Conference at Lakehead University in February 1996.
Just one month later, on March 29–31, 1996, representatives from Lakehead University, Trent University, McMaster University, the University of Guelph, the University of Western Ontario, Wilfrid Laurier University, and York University gathered at the University of Western Ontario for the inaugural meeting of what was then known as the Association of Student Emergency Response Teams of Canada.
During that meeting, delegates established the organization’s mission, governance structure, membership model, finances, and long-term vision. What began as a small network of student-led teams committed to supporting one another has grown into a national organization representing Campus Emergency Response Teams across Canada.
Over three decades, ACERT has expanded beyond networking to become the national voice for campus emergency response. Today, we provide educational resources, support the development of new and existing teams, establish national competition standards, facilitate leadership development, advocate for campus emergency response, and foster collaboration between member organizations from coast to coast.
While emergency medicine, technology, and campus life have evolved dramatically since 1996, the spirit that inspired ACERT’s founding remains unchanged: students working together to improve emergency response, serve their communities, and support one another.