The main functions of Rescue teams include urban search & rescue in collapsed structures, rescue from depth & confined spaces or height and water rescue. These Rescue teams have also been providing Animal Rescue as no other specialized animal rescue teams are available in the Districts. In short the Rescue team in order to facilitate the public responds to all rescue calls apart from medical emergencies or fire incidents. The Rescue teams have been provided with Rescue vehicles equipped with essential rescue equipment in all Districts for quick response.

The need for the establishment of Rescue/ Disaster Emergency Response Team (DERT) was felt after looking at the helplessness of the citizens during the October 2005 Earthquake in Pakistan and the limited capacity to manage disasters/ collapsed search & rescue operations. Initially a Disaster Emergency Response Team (DERT) was established in Lahore. Subsequently keeping in view the specialized rescue operations and enhanced scope of Rescue 1122 operations, small DERT Rescue Teams were also established in all Districts of Punjab.