When disaster strikes, the Marion-Rochester Medical Reserve Corps is there to help, but volunteers are always needed.

On Tuesday, district Health Agent Karen Walega and reserve member Vin Malkoski met with Selectmen to raise awareness for the group.

Created in the wake of Sept. 11 by President George W. Bush, corps volunteers are trained to respond to a variety of situations.

The local chapter mobilized to administer H1NI flu vaccines in 2009 during an outbreak and volunteers operated a shelter after a blizzard struck in 2013 that left many without power for days.

“We’re looking for people with a wide variety of skills,” Malkoski said. “Really, what we’re looking for now is volunteers, but it’s tough. If you go out there and say we need people to show up in a blizzard, they’re going to run.”

That said, Malkoski noted that many people arrived to help in the days following the storm.

“There were a lot of volunteers that night,” he said. “We know people want to step forward, and we’re fully aware of the fact that we need to ask.”

In addition to people with medical skills, such as nurses, personal care assistants and EMTs, the group is seeking people with other experiences.

Non-medical volunteers with leadership, organization, communication, child and elder care skills and other areas of expertise are needed.

An information session will be held Thursday, Nov. 13 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Rochester Council on Aging located at 66 Dexter Lane for interested residents.

Those unable to attend may call the Marion or Rochester Board of Health at 508-748-3530 or 508-763-5421.