Martin Volunteers is seeking volunteers and presenting information in regard to present and future disasters.

Martin Volunteers, a program of United Way of Martin County, is asking for people to sign up now if they would be willing to volunteer in the wake of a disaster.

Also, in view of the wildfires burning throughout Florida, the state government has asked volunteer centers to pass along the following Web address for information about preparedness and response for homeowners: http://redcross.tallytown.com/pz-Wildfire.html.

In regard to hurricanes and other natural and manmade disasters that might occur, Martin Volunteers is responsible for establishing a volunteer reception center to register and assign unaffiliated volunteers. The center has a system in place to match volunteers with agencies that need help.

In order to be prepared for some of the requests agencies will have, Martin Volunteers annually prepares an on-call list of volunteers. Martin Volunteers also needs volunteers who would help operate the center. Duties would include registering and orienting volunteers, interviewing them to match their skills with agencies’ needs, coordinating the matching with the agency, and facilitating safety training.

Having volunteers sign up in advance may also enable agencies to train volunteers now for skills they may need during the disaster recovery period. For example, the Martin County Chapter of the American Red Cross is in need of about 100 volunteers to serve as shelter workers.

Please contact Anne Lalley at Martin Volunteers, (772) 220-4472, ext. 232, to volunteer. Visit www.martinvolunteers.org for more information about Martin Volunteers.