Canada Task Force 2 (CAN-TF2), based out of Calgary, is one of five nationally recognized Heavy Urban Search and Rescue teams. The additional four teams are located in Vancouver, Toronto, Manitoba and Halifax. Collectively, these five dynamic teams complement Canada's emergency response initiative in Urban Search and Rescue (USAR). Separately or in unison, these Task Force teams are capable of integrating state of the art technical equipment and rescue gear with extraordinarily diverse professional skill sets to handle demanding rescue situations.

The mandate of the Task Force is to locate, extricate and facilitate immediate medical care to individuals affected by natural or human-caused disasters.

Initially, Canada Task Force 2 was started with assistance from the Calgary Fire Department’s Heavy Rescue team. In 2007, the Calgary Fire Department partnered with Alberta Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society (STARS) to further develop the team's strengths and to support a sustainable deployment team able to respond provincially, nationally and internationally when disaster strikes.