The Sports Responder Course (SRC) exists to improve the acute care and safety of athletes through additional education in sports medicine. This program is designed as a certification for Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and Paramedics. This not only improves the coordination of care with athletic trainers (ATs) but also improves care in rural and underserved communities. In many cases, athletic trainers and team physicians are not present or accessible at sporting events, leaving local EMTs as the primary point of assistance during training and competition. The SRC's goal is to further train EMTs in sports medicine while allowing these professionals to serve on the field in the absence of ATs or other medical personnel. Through this improved team approach in the initial management and treatment of athletic injuries and illnesses, the SRC allows the youth in these medically underserved areas to benefit from improved care that currently only exists for athletes in larger communities. Therefore, training first responders as sports responders provides the potential for improved health and safety in these communities.

The course, taught by certified and licensed athletic trainer, Susanna Shivers, includes two CEU credits through the Birmingham Regional Emergency Medical Services System (BREMSS) certification. The entire team of Homewood Firefighters received this education thanks to a generous gift from Jon Seale and Cardiac Solutions

If you would like to bring this program to your community of first responders by sponsoring their education, please contact ASPIRE Sports Institute.

The ASPIRE Sports Institute