If a disaster occurs, volunteers will come. But how will they know where to go and what to do? That's where Martin Volunteers comes in.

In the event of a natural or man-made disaster, Martin Volunteers, a program of United Way of Martin County, will open a volunteer reception center.

The center handles volunteers who are not already trained and affiliated with the American Red Cross, Salvation Army or any other agency. At the center, these unaffiliated -- or spontaneous -- volunteers would be interviewed, registered and assigned to volunteer duties requested by agencies throughout Martin County.

Martin Volunteers held an exercise on July 30 to practice the procedures for operating a disaster volunteer reception center. During the drill, volunteers and United Way staff members pretended to be agency representatives needing volunteer assistance ranging from clean-up to meal delivery to rounding up stray animals. Others pretended to be volunteers offering to help where needed. Still others conducted interviews, answered phones and provided safety instructions.

Martin Volunteers is looking for people to help operate a volunteer reception center or to be on call as a disaster volunteer. People with special skills or equipment are especially encouraged to sign up in advance. Examples include translators, counselors, medical personnel and people able to operate chainsaws.

The volunteer reception center was activated three times during 2004-05, following hurricanes Frances, Jeanne and Wilma. The center was open at the United Way office, 50 Kindred Street, Suite 207, Stuart. That likely will be the location of the center unless the office is unusable or a major influx of volunteers is expected from outside the area and a larger facility is activated.

For more information, please contact Martin Volunteers at (772) 220-4472 or visit www.martinvolunteers.org.