AMERICAN MASSAGE THERAPY ASSOCIATION
ABOUT THE AMTA-WA CHAPTER MERT PROGRAM
WHAT IS MERT?
AMTA MERT (Massage Emergency Response Team) prepares and manages volunteer massage therapists for professional deployment to disaster sites to perform massage on rescue and recovery workers. The concept for a MERT program started in 1989 following the California Loma Prieta Earthquake. During that disaster, more than 8,000 massages were given to disaster workers, demolition workers, grief counselors, highway patrol officers, and many others. Since that time, volunteer massage therapists have participated in numerous disaster responses. AMTA MERT offers emergency management agencies and rescue workers the expertise of highly qualified, professionally trained massage therapists.
HOW DOES MERT WORK?
AMTA MERT program was developed by a national committee. The MERT-WA program policies and procedures were created by the MERT-WA Coordinator and reports to the AMTA Washington Chapter Board of Directors to ensure the success of the program. AMTA MERT provides a framework of guidelines and safety measures within which volunteer massage therapists can participate with local and national emergency management organizations. AMTA MERT policies and rocedures ensure the safety of the public, the rescue workers and emergency management agency personnel, as well as AMTA MERT volunteers.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS
AMTA Active Professional classification membership or current National Certification in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, practicing legally. Liability insurance coverage of at least $2,000,000 per occurrence and $6,000,000 aggregate.
Completion of the required MERT Responder Training course. Current state license in good standing.
HOW AMTA GETS MORE WITH MERT
AMTA MERT offers AMTA Active Professional classification members an opportunity that cannot be obtained through any other professional association.
AMTA MERT provides a vital and highly visible community outreach program.
MEMBERSHIP RESPONSIBLITIES
Be in compliance with all membership requirements for the AMTA MERT program. Abide by the AMTA Code of Ethics for Massage Therapists. Participate in an incident at the request of a Team Leader or via a designated phone tree list for activation. Administer specific massage techniques for responders/rescuers and agree to follow all the guidelines established by AMTA MERT program. Provide 30 days advance notice to their Chapter Coordinator/Team Leader when they no longer wish to be a MERT volunteer. Volunteer for or be assigned additional duties on an as needed basis.
RULES, PROTOCOLS & PRODEDURES
AMTA MERT places professionally trained massage therapists in emergency response environments where their skill in therapeutic touch can bring respite to people operating with high stress levels. MERT teams may be working alongside individuals from the federal and state emergency management agencies, the Red Cross, the National Guard, law enforcement, and other responding agencies. Long before the concept of MERT, emergency management agency’s developed policies and procedures allowing them to respond cooperatively and effectively to disasters. Adoption of protocols and procedures by MERT teams will ensure recognition as competent responders operating within hectic environments. AMTA MERT teams will integrate into the fabric of disaster response by speaking similar language and using procedures that are familiar to all emergency management personnel.
HOW TO JOIN
To receive an application packet, download the packet from the MERT home page, under the Downloads heading, or contact Cathy Olson
Chapter Administrative Director at:
425-823-1347 or 888-302-3555
office@amta-wa.org
