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 lead 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, due to the success of their Heavy Rescue program. In 2007, the Calgary Fire Department struck a strategic alliance with Alberta Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society (STARS) to further develop the team's strengths and to further support a sustainable deployment model. Official partners in these initiatives are:
- City of Calgary under the banner of Emergency Management
- Government of Canada under the division of Public Safety Canada
- Province of Alberta with Alberta Emergency Management as the lead
- Calgary Fire Department
- Alberta Health Services