[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/EFRT_Karen_Belaire.jpg” caption=”Accepting the award on behalf of the EFRT team, from vice-president administration Karen Belaire, centre, are Tracy Alldread, team co-ordinator and third-year bio-psych student, and Colin McCready, an EFRT team member and third-year bachelor of health sciences student. Photo credit: Chantall Van Raay”]McMaster's Emergency First Response Team (EFRT) received an Award for Contribution to Health and Safety at a recognition lunch held Thursday.

“We selected EFRT because they play an integral part in the first aid program at McMaster,” said Nancy Wilk, manager, Environmental & Occupational Health Support Services. “They are almost always first on the scene. And in responding to severe situations, they demonstrate confidence, professionalism and even finesse.”

Karen Belaire, vice-president administration, presented the award at a barbecue lunch, held in appreciation of the work by the approximately 200 members of McMaster's 20 Joint Health and Safety Committees. The event also featured a vendor fair and a draw for 15 four-month summer memberships to the Pulse and an article of Marauder clothing.

“Every accident is preventable,” said Belaire. “You're going to hear me say that again and again and you're going to continue to hear me say it until we have a campus that is free of workplace injury.”

EFRT is comprised of extensively trained volunteers who respond to any medical first aid emergency on campus. EFRT is not a replacement for an ambulance but compliments and enhances Hamilton EMS on campus by providing rapid response (within one to two minutes) to any emergency where they provide emergency care until an ambulance arrives. First Response has repeatedly shown to increase chances of a patient's survival through early recognition, early basic life support and early defibrillation.

The event was one of several held this week as part of North American Occupational Safety & Health Week.