University of Guelph First Response Team
University of Guelph N1G 2W1 Guelph, ON, Canada

While enjoying the winter weather it is important to be cognizant of cold related medical emergencies. Here, we have compiled some useful information to help keep you safe this winter season. For more information you can visit www.redcross.ca or download the First Aid - Canadian Red Cross app. Stay safe and enjoy the snow! In case of an on campus emergency dial 519-840-5000 ext 2000 or 911.

Last week, some of our responders gave the gift of life. Canadian Blood Services is following strict COVID-19 protocols. For any inquiries on donating blood, call 1-888-236-6283.

Stay safe gryphons and good luck on your exams! Don’t forget to take care of your mental and physical health this exam season.

Important update Application deadlines are now: SEPTEMBER 12th at 11:59PM! Join UoG’s First Response Team (FRT)! The First Response Team is a volunteer group of Red Cross certified first responders who respond to emergencies on campus 24/7. You DON’T need to be a science student to be on the team. ... If you find yourself or someone else in a mental health or medical emergency, or require medical assistance on campus, call 519-840-5000 ext. 2000 or 911! For the Fall 2020 semester we will be off-call, however, community campus police and fire prevention officers will still be on campus. Although we will not be on-call for the fall semester, we will still be recruiting and training new members. New members will be trained to the Red Cross First Responder level, and be asked to volunteer 4-5 shifts a month once FRT goes back on-call. This is a rewarding volunteer opportunity for people who enjoy helping others, who like first aid, and for those who want to meet new people. There are many learning opportunities within the team, and leadership roles too. **For more information, or to apply, visit https://www.guelphfrt.com/ Join us for our free live resource fair event through Gryfflife to learn about campus safety or to ask questions about FRT! September 10th 2-3pm! Please contact us with any questions at [email protected] Or message us with questions/concerns on any of our social media platforms! Instagram: @uogfrt Facebook: University of Guelph First Response Team FRT We are excited to read your applications!

Hey Gryphons! Are you interested in... Helping your community? A rewarding volunteer experience? Meeting amazing new people? ...First-aid?! ... If you answered Yes! To these questions, apply to FRT and join us in keeping students safe. Will we see you on call? Go to www.guelphfrt.com to apply. Applications are due SEPTEMBER 12th AT 11:59 P.M.

Please contact us with any questions. In case of an on campus emergency dial 519-840-5000 ext 2000 or 911.

Hey gryphons! Are you interested in... Helping your community? A rewarding volunteer experience? Meeting amazing new people?... ...First-aid?! Apply for our team of First Responders at: www.guelphfrt.com Feel free to comment below or DM us to ask any questions! **UPDATE (July 6th)** Given the current situation with COVID-19, FRT is still working to develop to a safe and effective role in responding on campus for the 2020 Fall semester. We are unsure as to when we will be able to recruit and train new members, however we will be expanding our team in the coming year and therefore are still accepting applications. Please be aware that the recruitment process may not occur as it has in previous years, but we still look forward to receiving your applications. We will keep applicants updated regarding this developing process throughout the upcoming months. We appreciate your flexibility and understanding during this time.

Happy World Pride! FRT stands with the LGBTQIA+ community and we wish everyone a fun and safe celebratory weekend!

Black students/community members, we recognize the injustices against the Black community, and we are here to support you. You deserve safety and respect always. We stand in solidarity with the Black community against racism and violence. We recognize that these ongoing injustices against people of colour are traumatic and ongoing. We understand that the events that have taken place in the past weeks can be triggering for many. Your feelings are valid, and please know tha...t you don’t have to experience them on your own. UoG Counselling services are still available by phone calls (Call 519-824-4120 x 53244), and online mental health resources are available as well on wellness.uoguelph.ca. Additionally, if you have questions or concerns, or are looking for more support, please reach out to the University Cultural Diversity Advisor: Tameera Mohamed at [email protected] It is important that your voices are heard, and that people are actively anti-racist. Let’s take action against racism and listen to those who experience it. As an ally to the Black community, you are able to stand with them during a time of social injustice and educate yourself. Allyship is defined as an ongoing and lifelong process of building relationships with others, especially those with different lived experiences than our own (PeernetBC.com). Ways you can be an ally include: listening to others’ experiences, evaluating your own biases and perceptions, and seeking out resources to help understand the lived experience of others. These are just a few examples of how to be an ally from the University of Guelph’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Handbook. For further information on how to be an ally, please refer to the handbook at the website: www.uoguelph.ca/diversity-human-rights. It is important that we all inform ourselves of how we can do better and make a change. The University of Guelph Diversity & Human Rights office works to create an inclusive and accepting campus community for all. To follow their instagram page, check out @uofgdhr We want students and community members to not only feel welcome on campus, but also to feel safe in our care. #blm

While we miss being on call and serving the UoG community, FRT has donated all of our gloves, masks and sanitizer to support our essential workers such as Campus Police and the workers at the Guelph COVID-19 Screening Clinic. We are so thankful for all of the essential workers supporting the community. We hope that everyone is staying safe and social distancing to help flatten the curve and limit the spread of COVID-19. Remember that while physical social distancing is necessary, it is just as important to keep in touch with your friends and family and support one another during this difficult time through a phone call, video chat or message!