MERT

What is the AMTA Massage Emergency Response Team Program (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 Massage Emergency Response Team operate?
AMTA MERT is a chapter program of AMTA. AMTA MERT has a framework of guidelines and safety measures within which volunteer massage therapists can participate, in accordance with local and national emergency management organizations. AMTA MERT policies and procedures enhance the safety of the public, the rescue workers and emergency management agency personnel, as well as AMTA MERT volunteers.

What is the AMTA MERT Mission?
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 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 non-governmental emergency management agencies.
  • To enhance the personal growth and professional development of AMTA members.
  • To be inclusive of the massage therapy community.
  • To promote the visibility of AMTA and the massage therapy profession.
What are the requirements to be an AMTA MERT volunteer?
  • 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 training course.
  • Current state license, if applicable, in good standing.
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 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.
Why does AMTA MERT have rules, protocols and procedures?
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 agencies 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.