From Classroom to Campus Safety: The Engineering Society Advances UTEFR First Aid Education11/3/2025 The University of Toronto Emergency First Responders (UTEFR) would like to acknowledge the generous support of the Engineering Society through the Skule Endowment Fund (SEF) for funding the expansion of our Standard First Aid teaching resources. This contribution will allow UTEFR to purchase an additional set of training equipment—an important step toward increasing access to lifesaving education for students and community members. As demand for first aid certification continues to grow, this investment will enable UTEFR to deliver more frequent and accessible training sessions. Each year, our team provides essential first aid instruction and on-site event coverage to thousands of individuals, strengthening a culture of preparedness and safety across campus. The impact of this initiative extends beyond UTEFR. By equipping more students with first aid knowledge, SEF’s contribution enhances the University’s overall capacity to respond to medical emergencies and fosters a culture of safety and resilience. The new equipment will also serve as a lasting asset, supporting UTEFR’s educational programs for years to come. UTEFR extends its sincere appreciation to the Skule Endowment Fund Committee for their continued support of student-led initiatives. SEF’s investment not only empowers students to gain critical lifesaving skills and engage with their community but also contributes to a safer and more resilient University of Toronto—values that lie at the core of UTEFR’s mission. 
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The University of Toronto Emergency First Responder (UTEFR) team is proud to announce that we have received funding from the Skule™ Endowment Fund (SEF) to significantly enhance our first aid training capacity. Through this sponsorship, UTEFR has acquired four Little Anne QCPR Manikins and one High-Performance Full Body Resusci Anne QCPR Manikin, improving the quality, accessibility, and impact of our CPR and first aid training for both engineering students and the broader University of Toronto community. This project marks a major milestone in UTEFR’s ongoing mission to empower individuals with essential life-saving skills. Each year, UTEFR delivers first aid training and event coverage to more than 3,000 participants, including members of Skule™ Patrol, Orientation Week volunteers, and attendees at major engineering events such as Skule™ Nite. With the integration of these advanced QCPR manikins—offering real-time feedback on compression depth, ventilation quality, and overall CPR performance—our training programs will be more engaging, accurate, and aligned with the most current resuscitation standards. The support of the Skule™ Endowment Fund ensures that UTEFR can continue providing hands-on, evidence-based instruction that builds confidence and preparedness across our campus. These high-quality training tools are expected to serve our programs for 10 to 15 years, benefiting thousands of students and helping to shape a generation of confident, capable responders. In Canada, only 42% of bystanders perform CPR during cardiac arrest emergencies—a gap UTEFR is committed to closing by expanding access to high-quality, practical training. By funding this initiative, SEF is directly contributing to a safer campus and empowering students to act when every second counts. UTEFR extends its deepest gratitude to the Skule™ Endowment Fund committee for their generous investment in our mission. SEF’s dedication to enhancing the undergraduate experience and supporting initiatives that benefit both students and the community perfectly aligns with our goal of creating a more prepared and resilient campus. Together, we are building a stronger, safer, and more compassionate University of Toronto community—one heartbeat at a time.  The University of Toronto Emergency First Responders (UTEFR) expresses its upmost graditude to Toronto's Best Rated for their ranking on the courses offered by our student organization. At UTEFR, quality of care and teaching standards are our strongest drivers, which has been reflected by this award. Moving forward we continue to push the boundaries of first aid instruction to deliver the highest quality courses in the GTA. Big thanks to all of our students because this would not be possible without their feedback and suggestions. And shoutout to Toronto's Best Rated for this award. Check out their post below!  Written by R. Perez Vicente
The University of Toronto Emergency First Responders (UTEFR) is thankful for Martin Andrews and his company, AED.ca, for a significant donation to our team. The donation consists of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) unit, a lifesaving device used in cardiac emergencies. This act of generosity and commitment to public safety demonstrates Andrews’ and AED.ca’s commitment to public safety, community well-being, and the importance of these AED units.
AEDs are devices designed to analyze a person’s heart rhythm and deliver an electric shock to the heart during sudden cardiac arrests (SCA), a condition that affects over 100 people a day in Canada, regardless of age and health. Normally, the survival rate of an out of hospital cardiac arrest without chest compressions and defibrillation are almost zero. However, when combined with effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), rapid access to an AED and defibrillation can improve a person’s survival rate by up to approximately 75%. The importance of AEDs can be highlighted by the amount of publicly accessible units, oUen found at subway sta>ons, stores, gyms, schools, and more. AEDs are devices that anyone can use – they require no prior knowledge or skills as these units have voice prompts that tell the responder exactly what to do. As soon as they are turned on, they instruct the responder to call for help, apply the pads on the patient’s chest, and analyzes the patient’s heart rhythm. When needed, it will instruct the responders to stay clear and shock the patient, sometimes without even needing to press any additional buttons. Unfortunately, as easy as they are to use, they are only useful if people can access them when they are needed. As the founder of AED.ca, Andrews’ mission is to help save lives by making AEDs more accessible. “I started the company to really make a difference in the world,” said Andrews. “[The way] I classify my company is a social enterprise. Yes, we’re still a for profit business... but we also try to see how we can give back.” Andrews replied when asked why he donates AED units. “Our number one goal is to help have AEDs more accessible... even more than making X number of dollars.” Putting people over profit, AED.ca’s goal was to promote the equipment and skills that create safer public spaces. Understanding the significance of AEDs, Andrews has consistently advocated for greater accessibility of these devices. As such, AED.ca is proud to donate an AED unit for every ten units sold to public organizations. Placing AED units in locations such as university campuses and other public spaces significantly reduces response times and improves outcomes. AED.ca’s donation not only equips UTEFR with an additional AED unit, but also makes the University of Toronto a safer place for students, faculty, and staff. “Honestly, if I could, I would give them all away,” Andrews says. “To me, that’s what it’s all about... it’s about helping people.” UTEFR is a dedicated group of volunteer students committed to providing emergency medical services at major organized events throughout the University of Toronto Campus. As a volunteer student organization, UTEFR relies on the support and contributions from individuals and companies such as Andrews and AED.ca to fulfill its mission of promoting community well- being and providing quality pre-hospital treatments. This generous donation of an AED unit will have a profound impact on UTEFR’s ability to respond effectively to cardiac emergencies on campus. Martin Andrews’ and AED.ca’s gesture serves as an inspiration for others to contribute to their communities and prioritize public safety. By supporting organizations like UTEFR and donating life-saving equipment, Andrews sets an example of corporate social responsibility, making a positive impact on society. Andrews’ and AED.ca’s generous donation of an AED unit to UTEFR showcases his commitment to public safety and his dedica>on to making AEDs more accessible everywhere. UTEFR is extremely grateful for his donation and his support to our team. With the help of Andrews and AED.ca, the University of Toronto is now a safer space. To read more about Martin Andrews and AED.ca, please visit aed.ca. Written by J. Han Edited by C. Strauss-Bate |
