Do I need to be in a health-related program to join CUSERT?
Not at all! Students from all programs are welcome to apply. CUSERT responders come from a variety of programs, ranging from engineering to history. 

Do I have to pay for training?
CUSERT will cover training cu_event_costs for new responders. However, new responders must provide a minimum number of on-call volunteer hours within a specified period of time (as outlined in the responder contract), or the full amount of the course will be charged to their student account. 

I will be starting school at Carleton in September 2022. Can I apply?
Yes! New students are welcome to apply for CUSERT. CUSERT is a great way to meet new people and get involved in the Carleton community. 

I will not be in Ottawa as of September 2022 due to COVID-19. Can I apply? 

Due to the nature of CUSERT, you must be in Ottawa in order to join our team this year. If you are not able to be in Ottawa as of September 2022, we invite you to apply next year! 

What is the time commitment for CUSERT responders?

CUSERT responders are required to commit a minimum of 12 on-call hours a week, and an additional 2 hours for training. While on call, responders may perform various activities on campus when not responding to calls. For example, responders may study, do schoolwork, go to class, and work on group projects on campus. 

In order to be certified, new responders must complete a 40-hour Canadian Red Cross course, which is usually spread over two weekends, a 12-hour Mental Health First Aid Course, and an additional hour of training a week for the Fall semester. CUSERT arranges all the courses for our new members. Finally, there are various evaluations and meetings throughout the year that total to approximately 4 hours a month. These dates are communicated well in advance. 

Do I need prior first aid experience to join CUSERT?
No, the majority of our new responders have little to no prior first aid experience. CUSERT provides comprehensive training for new responders. All responders also participate in training sessions on a weekly basis. 

I currently do not have my Standard First Aid/CPR Level C certification but I am planning to take a course before the application deadline. Can I still apply?
Yes! If you are planning to take Standard First Aid/CPR Level C course before September 19, 2021, you may still submit an application before then. CUSERT is tentatively holding courses in September, please visit our First Aid Courses page for more information. 

Do CUSERT responders  get paid?
No, CUSERT is a volunteer service. 

How many spots are there for new responders?
The number varies from year to year as it depends on the size of the returning team and the quality of applications.  

1. Confirm that you are eligible 

The first step in becoming a CUSERT responder is to determine if you meet the eligibility requirements. In order to join CUSERT, you must;  

• Be a current student at Carleton University with at least two academic terms (Fall 2022 and Winter 2023) remaining in your current degree program. 
• Have a clean criminal record and the ability to obtain a Vulnerable Sector Check on request and at your own expense. 
• Have a valid Standard First Aid certification* 
• Have a valid CPR/AED Level C certification*  
• Have a desire to help others in their community and work in a team  

Note: These certifications are not required to apply but must be provided by September 19, 2022 to be considered. If you don’t have these certifications but are planning on taking a Standard First Aid course before the application deadline, you are still welcome to apply. See here for courses CUSERT is offering 

Note 2: Only successful applicants who are offered positions on our team will be asked to provide a Vulnerable Sector Check. CUSERT will provide successful applicants with a letter that may encu_people_job_title the applicant to a reduced fee. For information on requirements and fees, please visit the Ottawa Police Service website or the website of the police service in your area. 

2. Considerations for Potential Applicants:

Time Commitment  

CUSERT requires an ongoing commitment from its volunteers. The minimum weekly commitment is…  

• The provision of at least 24 hours of availability per week, including at least any two weekend or overnight shifts. Of the availability you provide, you can expect to be assigned a minimum of 12 hours of on-call shifts per week. 
• Attendance at a 2-hour training session each week. 
• Completion of periodic team-wide training, meetings, and evaluations (generally an extra 4 hours per month, usually on weekends).   

In addition to these requirements, members in their first year are required to provide some additional time as part of their First Year Training Program;  

• Completion of a 40-hour Canadian Red Cross First Responder course
• Completion of a 12-hour Mental Health Commission of Canada Mental Health First Aid course 
• Attendance at an additional 1-hour weekly training session for the Fall 2022 term
• Other added training as required. Dates will be communicated to members well in advance. 

Hours of Service

CUSERT is a 24/7 service. As such, we rely on the flexibility of our volunteers to work a variety of shifts, including weekends and overnights. Our time commitment requirements are the same for all members, so if you aren’t available for a specific type of shift, you should be prepared to provide the required availability through other shift types.  

Physical Demands

The work of a CUSERT First Responder can be physically demanding and requires certain physical abilities. While the physical demands of the position are not constant, the nature of our on-call work means that responders can be called at any time. CUSERT responders must be able to…  

• Stand, sit, kneel, and lay down for an extended period of time. 
• Carry a large backpack weighing approximately 20 kg (45 lbs) long distances, over uneven terrain, and up and down multiple flights of stairs.
• Work in a variety of conditions including both indoors and outdoors in any weather.
• Carry out the functions of their position at any time of day, including when woken up at night. 

CUSERT First Responders must be physically able to obtain all their certifications. This means you must be able to do things like chest compressions for CPR, which can be physically exhausting.  

Mental Wellbeing  

The job of a first responder can be very rewarding, but it can also have an impact on your mental health and wellbeing. Potential applicants should be prepared to work in intense, fast-paced situations.  

CUSERT works to provide a robust network of resources to its members and actively works to build resiliency within our team. However, the nature of the work of CUSERT first responders can become stressful. In this role you could be called to respond to serious situations, including life-or-death emergencies. Applicants should consider how work on CUSERT could impact their mental wellness before applying.  

3. Submit an Online Application

Submit an application here. The deadline is September 18, 2022; however, applications will be processed on a rolling basis. Therefore, you should submit your application as early as possible.  

4. Application Assessment

Applicants invited to the next stage will be invited to complete an interview and written assessment. The interview is approximately 30 minutes long and contains standard interview questions along with scenario-based questions. The written assessment is 30 minutes in length and is comprised of situation-based questions. Both of these activities will happen online. Please let us know at applications@cusert.com if you require any accommodations.  

Note: If you do not submit your SFA and CPR certifications by September 19, 2022 to applications@cusert.com, your application will no longer be considered.  

5. Applicant Evaluation

Following completion of the Assessment Stage, applicant files will be assessed by our recruitment team. Competitive applicants will be invited to our Initial Testing Weekend on September 23-25, 2022.  

Note: If you cannot attend the Initial Testing Weekend, your application will no longer be considered

6. Receive an Offer

Successful applicants from the Evaluation Stage will be offered a position on CUSERT.