Rapid climate changes, increased population and unplanned urbanization have led to unprecedented damages occurring in the wake of natural disasters in Pakistan. Pakistan itself is vulnerable to many natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, cyclones, drought and landslides. The LEAD's (Leadership for Environment and Development) report "Disaster Mortality 2015" records 8887 disasters in Pakistan between 1980 and 2014, out of which 40 percent relate particularly to floods. The Global Climate Risk Index 2015, ranks Pakistan as the 10th most affected country in the world due to climate change. Punjab being the harbinger of five rivers is the most vulnerable and affected province due to floods.

PDMA Punjab constituted under the NDM Act-2010 specializes in mitigation. preparedness and an organised response to any disaster. The most important role of PDMA lies in providing a platform for all provincial departments to come together and strategies management and response to disasters and calamities.  No doubt, all the concerned departments in Punjab, especially PDMA, Rescue 1122, Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs), doctors / paramedics, and other emergency responders are doing an incredible job of keeping us safe, but they cannot do it alone. Community involvement is, therefore, a key element because individuals can make a difference in their own community. Unfortunately, community involvement, in disaster preparedness has remained unsatisfactory so far. Although, at individual level, people as such do come forward for helping the government agencies at time of needs but they are not trained and prepared for handling disasters.  Maximising awareness and encouraging participation in disaster preparedness activities to affect change at the community level is therefore a challenge. PDMA Punjab as one of its CBDRM (Community Based Disaster Risk Management) initiative, is determined to contribute to the safety and security of communities in Punjab by imparting Emergency Response Training to the communities, so when in need, individuals are available to respond to a disaster.

emergency responders from National Societies and government disaster  organizations. Local volunteers, citizens, organizations and businesses have an  active and important role to play before, during and after major emergencies and  disasters. Therefore, as stated earlier, Community-based disaster preparedness  (CBDP) is a process that seeks to develop and implement a locally appropriate and  locally "owned" strategy for disaster preparedness and risk reduction.  Local populations in disaster-stricken areas are the first to respond to a disaster. They  are usually involved in search and rescue activities as well as in providing emergency  treatment and relief to their families, friends and neighbors. Governments, ideally in  partnership with other community organizations and networks, can play an important  role in improving the skills and knowledge of these "spontaneous" disaster responders  by providing them with education and training in preparedness measures, basic rescue  techniques, and first aid and emergency treatment. PDMA in collaboration with Punjab  Emergency Service, Rescue 1122 has formulated a training program for the individuals of the communities to make them prepared for emergencies and disasters  with following objectives.