The Canada Task Force teams are mandated by a national advisory committee and with representation from federal, provincial and municipal governments, as well as several non-governmental organizations. The committee dictates the direction of USAR and ensures continuity of the program across Canada.

An Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team is defined nationally as “a group of specialized rescue skills supplemented by search, medical and structural assessment resources combined in a mobile, highly integrated team.”

Public Safety Canada PSC defines Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) as “the capacity to rescue victims from major structural collapse or other entrapments. It can range from lightly equipped teams to self-contained, fully mobile Heavy USAR (HUSAR) teams.”

• Locating people trapped in collapsed structures using search dogs and sophisticated electronic equipment
• Breaking through or shoring up structural components such as walls
• Removing debris using heavy equipment such as cranes
• Extricating and treating victims