AMTA Massage Emergency Response Team

The AMTA Massage Emergency Response Team is committed to respond to emergencies with the power of compassionate, professional touch to promote the health and well being of humanity.

What is the AMTA Massage Emergency Response Team (MERT)?

AMTA MERT 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 AMTA MERT operate?

AMTA MERT is a program committee of AMTA comprised of leadership at the national, regional and state levels. The AMTA MERT national committee reports to the AMTA Board of Directors, develops policies and procedures, and works with all levels of volunteers to ensure the success of the program.

AMTA MERT provides a framework of guidelines and safety measures within which volunteer massage therapists can participate, in accordance with local and national emergency management organizations.

AMTA policies and procedures ensure the safety of the public, the rescue workers and emergency management agency personnel, as well as AMTA MERT volunteers.

What are AMTA MERT Goals?

• To be a leader and resource in massage emergency response as support to emergency responder and disaster communities.
• To create the standard by which massage therapy at disasters is measured.
• To have an organized and effective response structure.
• To be aligned with governmental and no-governmental emergency management agencies.
• To enhance the personal growth and professional development of AMTA members.
• To provide a vital and highly visible community outreach program.

What are the requirements to be an AMTA MERT volunteer?

• AMTA Active Professional classification membership in good standing.
• Liability insurance coverage (included in your AMTA Professional classification membership).

What are the responsibilities of AMTA MERT volunteers?

• 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 the AMTA MERT program.

Why does AMTA MERT have rules, protocols and procedures?

• MERT members 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 agencies developed policies and procedures allowing them to respond cooperatively and effectively to disasters.
• Conforming to the established protocols and procedures by MERT members will ensure recognition as competent responders operating within stressful environments.
• Using procedures and speaking with terms that are familiar to all emergency management personnel. AMTA MERT members will integrate into the fabric of the disaster environment.

How can I become involved with the Louisiana Chapter of AMTA MERT?