JEFFERSON COUNTY,Ohio -- Thirty-four hundred volunteers, that's how many volunteers the American Red Cross is requesting for a relief effort just in case Gustav hits the Western Gulf States.

Local volunteers are ready to be dispatch if need be to the Gulf region.

"We are putting them on alert, making them aware, could be a request for them to head in that direction to assist in operations there," said Paul Brandt, the Administrative Manager with the Jefferson County American Red Cross.

He told NEWS9 his volunteers are ready to go if need be.

"We have a good group of volunteers in Jefferson County and they do step up to the plate if need be," said Brandt.

And he said the new and current volunteers are trained so they can better assist those in need.

"They go through a basic training program, volunteers need to go through the Red Cross operations and what volunteers should expect and what they need to do when they get there," Brandt said.

There is no word yet if and when local volunteers will be dispatched to the gulf region.