Training & First Aid Courses

When someone experiences a cardiac arrest, in many cases no immediate bystander action is taken. The two main barriers to performing CPR and using an AED are lack of training and fear of doing something wrong. However, you cannot harm someone who has suffered a sudden cardiac arrest—you can only help. The Chase McEachern Act and the Good Samaritan Act protect you from liability in the duties of providing CPR and using an AED.

If You Witness a Sudden Cardiac Arrest:

• Call 9-1-1 for emergency paramedic services.
• Start CPR immediately: push hard and fast in the centre of the chest at a rate of 100–120 compressions per minute.
• Send someone to get an AED: these are typically located near building entrances. Emergency Medical Dispatch can help identify the nearest AED and guide you through CPR and AED use.
• Use the AED as soon as it arrives: open the device and follow the voice prompts.

How to Take a First Aid Course:

Currently, Safe City is only offering First Aid courses to City of Toronto staff. If you would like to book a course, please email safecity@toronto.ca. Upon successful course completion, each participant will receive official certification cards for the course(s) completed.

If you are looking for a list of WSIB-approved providers, you can find them here: Providers Approved to Deliver Emergency and Standard First Aid 

Important Course Updates 2026

The Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) is updating its First Aid program and the requirements for First Aid Training Program Providers across the province. The new program is expected to launch in summer 2026 and will align with the CSA Z1210:24 First Aid Training for the Workplace – Curriculum and Quality Management for Training Agencies standard.

This update is part of Ontario’s efforts to ensure first aid training remains current with Canadian standards, supporting safer workplaces and improved training outcomes across the province. For more information see First Aid Program | WSIB

What’s New?

• Emergency First Aid will now be called Basic First Aid
• Standard First Aid will now be called Intermediate First Aid
• One-day recertification eligibility will be updated under the new guidelines (see below)

Recertification Changes

Previously, to qualify for the one-day First Aid Recertification course, participants were required to have completed the two-day Standard First Aid course with Safe City within the past three years and recertify before their certificate expired.

Under the new guidelines:

• Only participants who have completed the two-day Intermediate First Aid course will be eligible for the one-day Intermediate Recertification course
• Participants who previously completed the Standard First Aid course will not be eligible for the one-day Intermediate First Aid recertification

 For more information, please email safecity@toronto.ca