India, Feb. 7 -- The Gautam Budh Nagar administration has invited applications from eligible residents for selecting 19 volunteers under the 'Aapda Mitra' programme, a disaster preparedness initiative of the Uttar Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority, officials said on Friday.

Volunteers will undergo a 12-day training, starting from February 17, conducted by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) at its headquarters in Lucknow, aimed at strengthening local-level disaster response. Volunteers will be trained to assist authorities during emergencies such as floods, fires, building collapses, and industrial accidents, added officials.

The SDRF will bear the cost of boarding, lodging, travel, training material, and other expenses d...