The Basic Emergency Care Course (BEC) is a joint World Health Organization (WHO)/International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)/International Federation for Emergency Medicine (IFEM) learning programme for first contact health workers who care for patients with acute illness or injury.
BEC teaches a systematic approach to the initial assessment and management of time-sensitive conditions where early intervention saves lives. The intent of these course is to provide free, standardised, open-access education to all individuals who are likely to be providing emergency care in low-resource settings; this includes both front-line clinicians and community members.
IFEM oversees the global administration of the BEC course with ACEM as a recognised BEC course certifying organisation for the Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand, and Pacific region.
IFEM BEC course credentialling guidelines (Nov 2024) outline how BEC courses are to be conducted by appropriately trained personnel and in a manner consistent with the intent of the WHO, ICRC, and IFEM.
This will also allow trained providers to receive a standardised certificate that is universally recognised and accepted. The certificate demonstrates that participants have taken courses by appropriately trained facilitators that are consistent with WHO/ICRC recommendations.
BEC course certification process for sponsoring organisations
BEC courses may be conducted by a range of organisations, and multiple organisations within a country can request to hold BEC courses, which are termed ‘sponsoring organisations’.
To obtain BEC course certifications in the Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand and Pacific region, sponsoring organisations can register their upcoming BEC courses through ACEM as the country/regional BEC course certifying organisation.
The ACEM BEC course certification process for sponsorship organisation is outlined in the 'Checklist for WHO/ICRC BEC course sponsoring organisations'.
To register your BEC courses, complete and submit the following online BEC course registration form:
For further information, please contact the ACEM GEC Desk on [email protected].