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The City of New Orleans

Volunteer

Train up as a hurricane evacuation volunteer

NOLA Ready is training volunteers to help with hurricane evacuation. If the City issues a mandatory evacuation, all residents must leave. For the thousands of NOLA residents who are unable to evacuate on their own, the City of New Orleans will activate City-Assisted Evacuation (CAE), which provides free transportation out of the city to a safe shelter.

NOLA Ready evacuation volunteers support this critical process and help New Orleans residents evacuate out of harm's way. As an evacuation volunteer, you will STILL evacuate, just after having helped your neighbors first.

Learn how CAE works

Train up as an Evacuation Volunteer

 

Train up with NOLA Ready

NOLA Ready is training evacuation volunteers to work alongside first responders and City staff to help with this critical process. Get involved, and help your neighbors evacuate ahead of a dangerous storm.

City-Assisted Evacuation Overview

City-Assisted Evacuation (CAE) provides free transportation out of the city to a safe shelter in the event of a mandatory evacuation. As a last resort option, residents in need of evacuation assistance can use CAE.

The Smoothie King Center will be the hub for evacuation for residents who can’t leave on their own. During a mandatory evacuation, evacuees should come to the Smoothie King Center (1501 Dave Dixon Dr.), where they will be registered for evacuation by volunteers. From there, evacuees will board a bus, train, or airplane to a state or federal shelter. Once it’s safe to come back, the CAE process works in reverse to bring residents back to New Orleans.

Role of Evacuation Volunteers

Volunteers will serve a CAE shift at the Smoothie King Center and then will evacuate ahead of the storm. We do not ask volunteers to stay through the storm. Volunteers of all backgrounds & skillsets are welcome to train & serve.

We are currently seeking volunteers for the following roles:

  • Greeting & navigation
  • Registration
  • Pet evacuation
  • Accessibility support: pushing wheelchair, driving golf carts, carrying luggage
  • Luggage loading
  • Runners & floaters

Get Involved as an Evacuation Volunteer

Step 1: Create a volunteer profile and fill out the 2021 Hurricane Response Volunteer Form with your contact info, volunteer preferences, and emergency contact.

Step 2: Register for an online Intro to City-Assisted Evacuation Volunteer Training (CAE 101)

Step 3: Stay connected with NOLA Ready to hear about CAE activations, upcoming trainings, volunteer opportunities, and more.

Leadership Roles

Interested in stepping up and serving in a leadership position during CAE? Indicate your interest directly to us.

Upcoming Trainings

Host a volunteer training

Want your organization, association, church, or group involved? We'll train up your group. Contact us for information about how we can host a personalized training for you and your group. 

Get your group involved!

Stay informed

Want to get involved but unable to attend a training? Join our volunteer mailing list to get information about upcoming trainings:

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