CAN-TF2 is an All-hazards Disaster Response Team, which can respond as a whole or in a combination of specialized modules. CAN-TF2 is ready with over 140 highly-trained members and a wide variety of specialized equipment that is ready to be deployed on short notice.

CAN-TF2 can respond quickly with the right people and the right equipment for almost any disaster situation. The modular nature of the team allows for the right people and the right equipment to be dispatched to meet the needs of the requesting municipality.

A CAN-TF2 Incident Management Team (IMT) is available for deployment 24 hours a day, and will assist and support local responders and Incident Command staff during extended duration incidents or for incidents that require staff with specialized training and extensive experience in Incident Command Systems (ICS).

Our IMT is a designated team of trained personnel from different departments, organizations, and jurisdictions from around Alberta. 

Our IMT is tailored to the requirements of each situation, but is typically deployed as a team of 10-20 trained personnel, representing multiple disciplines, who support complex incidents requiring a significant number of resources. This includes incidents that extend into multiple operational periods and require a written Incident Action Plan (IAP).  

Typical incidents can include:

• weather-related disasters such as a tornado, earthquake, or flood;
  

• a public health emergency;
  

• terrorist incidents;

• train derailments, aircraft incidents, and other large/complex accidents;
  

• or a planned exercise or event.

Our Incident Management Team provides support to large emergencies by providing highly skilled Command and General Staff and unit leaders. This provides the local jurisdiction with the staff and expertise needed to organize, manage and document their incident objectives. IMT staff provide the critical resources that allow the Incident Commander to move the response forward in a safe and effective manner.

 CAN-TF2 is one of six Heavy Urban Search and Rescue (HUSAR) teams in Canada.  The additional teams are located in Vancouver (CAN-TF1), Toronto (CAN-TF3), Manitoba (CAN-TF4), Halifax (CAN-TF5) and Montreal (CAN-TF6). Collectively, these teams lead Canada's emergency response initiative in Urban Search and Rescue (USAR).

 HUSAR Task Forces locate trapped persons in collapsed structures and other entrapments using specially trained dogs and electronic search equipment.  The Task Forces breach, shore, lift and remove structural components, use heavy construction equipment to remove debris, and medically treat and transfer victims.

As a HUSAR team, CAN-TF2 responds with up to 75 specialized team members within 6 hours, via ground or air, and operates 24 hours a day for up to 14 days with the specialized equipment to be fully self-sustaining. 

Elements of a HUSAR team include:

• Search (Canine and Technical Search)

• Rescue (Structural Collapse, Rope Rescue, Confined Space Rescue)

• Medical (Treatment for victims and rescuers)

• Technical (Engineers, HazMat, and other specialties)

• Logistics (Providing for the needs of the team - equipment and facilities))

• Command (An organized structure to manage the objective of the incident)

CAN-TF2 provides both rescue and recovery during flood events.  Our team of boat crews can use any or all of our five (5) zodiac boats to navigate floodways seeking out people who have been trapped by the rising waters.  Crews search affected houses and buildings quickly and efficiently in areas that are normally difficult to access and citizens can be shuttled to evacuation areas quickly and efficiently with patient and rescuer safety in mind.

While search and rescue operations are underway, CAN-TF2 Logistics crews can begin to use any or all of our 23 large volume trash pumps to protect critical infrastructure and begin pumping out priority buildings.  Our fleet of large pumps can move 850 gallons per minute (3200L/min) of dirty, debris-filled flood water in order to quickly remediate a flood situation.  

Within CAN-TF2 is a group of Physicians and Advanced Care Paramedics who use specialized training to deploy a wide range of medical equipment in support of emergency incidents or planned events.

With the capacity to set up a First Aid post, Advanced Life Support medical tent, or casualty collection point, our medical team provides the highest level of care available in the field.

Our Physicians and Paramedics are trained to work within disaster zones and have special training to treat many of the complex conditions found during disaster rescue situations, such as:

• Crush Injuries (structural collapse);
• Suspension Syndrome (rope rescue); 
• Blast Injuries (terrorism and accidental causes); and 
• Chemical/Biological/Radiological/Nuclear Exposure (HAZMAT)

CAN-TF2 Rescue Specialists are trained in structural collapse rescue and are available for response to collapsed or failing structures.  On scene, these members perform the following:

• recon of affected areas

• hasty search methods to determine where victims may be

• shoring areas of collapse to ensure safety of patients and rescuers

• breaching and breaking to gain access to trapped patients

• medical treatment and safe removal of all patients from collapsed structures

Rescue Specialist are trained and have advanced equipment to deal with trapped patients in all building types, including: 

• heavy timber or wood frame construction

• concrete and masonry construction

• steel frame construction

• reinforced concrete and steel

In order to provide self-sustaining support to our 75 member team for up to 14 days, we have a variety of equipment that can be modularized to support smaller incidents as well.

Tent Shelter and Lodging

Our military style tent structures are quick and easy to deploy, fully lit, and are capable of A/C and/or heat to provide comfortable, dry workable space.  Our tents can be used alone or attached/booted together to provide flexibility in a variety of applications, such as:

• Command Post

• Sleeping Dorms (12-14 cots per tent - 200 cots available)

• Medical Tent

• Decontamination Tent

• Kitchen/Dining

• Cache or Communications Storage and Setup

• Shower/Toilet Facility setup

• Forward Operating Base

With a wide variety of communications equipment and the support of our highly trained Communications Specialists to manage it, CANTF2 can provide numerous systems to support a diverse communications network during an emergency or large planned event.

Our equipment includes:

• Multi-band radios covering 400MHz, 700MHz, 800MHz, UHF, VHF and P25 frequencies
• Portable repeater units in 400MHz and 800MHz frequencies
• Satellite Radios 
• Radio interconnect hardware to link radio systems  
• Satellite Data and Voice technology
• Wireless Mesh Network system, including both portable and fixed systems allowing for a secure network to stream live video and instant messaging from the incident site, back to the command post

Canada Task Force 2 is on the Alberta First Responder Radio Communications System (AFRRCS).  AFRRCS is a province-wide two-way radio network that allows first responder agencies (fire fighters, police, ambulances etc.) in the province to use the same radio communications technology. It ensures first responders can more easily communicate with one another and improve coordination among agencies.

CanTF2's search dogs are a critical element of our team as their keen sense of smell allows them to quickly locate victims that might go undiscovered. All of the dog handlers on our team are civilian volunteers. The dogs are considered to be family pets by the handlers when the dogs are not on duty.  When on duty, these highly-trained dogs can quickly and effectively search collapsed buildings or evacuated areas for people who may be trapped.

Along with Search Dogs, our Technical Search Specialists use highly specialized equipment to search for victims of a disaster.  Using sensitive acoustic and seismic devices, the Search Specialists  can narrow down the areas where trapped patients may be.  Then, using telescoping and articulating-head cameras, the team can visualized the full patient situation and begin planning for the rescue.

Combined with the team's Search Dogs, these Technical Search Specialists make up our highly-trained Search Team. 

CanTF2 Rescue Specialists are trained in rope rescue for the primary purpose of gaining access to patients in confined spaces or collapsed structures.  Rescue Specialists can create rope systems which enable them to work and use heavy rescue equipment in areas that would otherwise be inaccessible.  These Rescue Specialists can then also create rope systems that can be used to lift, move and lower patients out of danger and into safe areas for treatment.