American Chiropractic Association and CERV Team Align to Integrate Chiropractic in Federal Emergency Response Teams

The American Chiropractic Association (ACA), the nation’s leading chiropractic organization, is pleased to announce a collaborative alliance with the Chiropractic Emergency Response Volunteer Team (CERV Team), a non-profit organization dedicated to developing teams of chiropractic responders that can be deployed during times of state and national disasters.

Arlington, VA (PRWEB) June 23, 2006 -- The American Chiropractic Association (ACA), the nation’s leading chiropractic organization, is pleased to announce a collaborative alliance with the Chiropractic Emergency Response Volunteer Team (CERV Team), a non-profit organization dedicated to developing teams of chiropractic responders that can be deployed during times of state and national disasters.

Through this alliance, the ACA and CERV Team will educate and certify doctors of chiropractic in the many skills and responsibilities of responding to a local, state or national emergency. In addition, CERV Team will work closely with individual state chiropractic associations to develop statewide disaster response plans.

“Our goal in disaster preparedness is cooperation among many responding groups, including doctors of chiropractic, allied health care providers, state and federal officials, the local community, and non-profit organizations such as the American Red Cross,” said ACA President Richard G. Brassard, DC. “We are excited about the opportunity to be part of a major national disaster initiative and to make the kind of impact that can only be made when organizations work together in pursuit of a common goal.”

The development of CERV Team is the direct result of the chiropractic profession’s involvement with the Dallas Convention Center Medical Unit following Hurricane Katrina last August. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Rebecca Burton, DC, created a Rehab/Chiropractic unit within the Dallas Convention Center’s onsite emergency care hospital. Dr. Burton enlisted the help of Zonsite, LLC—a wellness and technology firm in Dallas—to mobilize more than 90 volunteer chiropractors to provide chiropractic care to evacuees, emergency relief workers and volunteers.

Seeing a need for more involvement by the chiropractic profession in national disaster relief efforts, Dr. Burton and Zonsite formed CERV Team, which has been invited by Homeland Security to be part of a formal emergency response when a national disaster is declared.

“We are committed to supporting disaster response efforts and are pleased to work with the American Chiropractic Association,” said Rebecca Burton, DC, president of CERV Team. “By working closely with ACA and corporate America, CERV Team will be able to greatly accelerate the rate with which chiropractors are included in mainstream and disaster relief efforts.”

CERV Team will offer a basic disaster orientation and training program on Sept. 17, 2006, in Dallas, Texas. This introductory course is designed to provide an introduction to CERV training and certification, as well as a brief understanding of the protocols and procedures necessary in a deployment situation.

CERV Team is offering reduced membership, training, and certification fees for members of state and national chiropractic associations. For more information about CERV Team or for those interested in becoming a member, visit www.Ihelpcerv.org .

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