ERMI

[Lebanese Dolly]

Has anyone ever done a training with this organization? It is Emergency Response Massage International, Inc

Emergency Response Massage International, Inc (ERMI), a non-profit volunteer organization of massage therapists who provide stress reducing chair massage for emergency responders following a disaster/critical incident,

they are having a training in my area this sunday. full day, 7 CEU's for I think 9-4, 95$. I'm thinking of doing it if they still have room. I like the idea of massage for emergency responders and figure I could learn something and get some experience with my chair.

any thoughts?

 

[MAgheewala]

Ellie, that sounds great! I don't know how much "extra training" you'll get as opposed to just a plain old chair massage class, but I love the idea of working in this capacity. Someday. Which won't come too soon for me at this rate. LOL!

 

[Happy Happy]

I have not taken any training in it. But I think I recall reading somewhere that when there ARE disasters, that only the Emergency Repsonse Massage Therapists are allowed to go to those areas to help out. I think in my area it's called MERT. (Massage Emergency Response Team)

Anyway, the training sounds fairly reasonable to me, I hope you get to take it. And I hope you report back to the board about it!

 

[Span]

ERMI

Did you take the course? I am interested in taking it too if they have the class in my area again.

 

[drip]

ERMI

Hi, sorry its taken me so long to respond. I saved a partial response and cannot figure out how to find a saved post. Oh well, starting over...

yes, I did attend. The day was good. I was glad to meet some other local MT's. Much of the training dealt with the history of ERMI (It did come from MERT which disbanded in MA), introducing us to the Incident Command System (ICS), logistics of doing this type of work and how it fits in with FEMA, etc. ERMI is international. There are lots of organizational details and rules regarding being at a site. If you were going to this training just to learn a chair massage technique, it would not be worth the time. There are all these acronyms you have to learn, and a NIMS (National Incident Management System) test, which they want us to take, but the instructor makes that really easy for you since it has very little to do with doing the massage.

the chair massage training is a routine they want you to use when you are doing a first responder event. The routine is designed for consistency (everyone doing the same thing) to fit in a time frame and is designed to be an invigorating massage so the recipients can return to work. I learned some good techniques, nothing mind blowing, but mainly I am just glad now, to have the opportunity to help, donating my time and skills, when and if it is needed. I joined ERMI and once I take the NIMS test online, I will be contacted whenever MT's are needed. My only obligation is to work one fundraising event per year.

I'm happy to answer questions if anyone has any.

 

[bennachie1]

ERMI Update

I've been contacted for the first time regarding a first responder massage opportunity. Starting next week I will be working some shifts in Boston doing massage for Partners in Health: http://www.standwithhaiti.org/haiti

Hmmm need to brush up on the particulars of the massage routine - I haven't done it since the training!