Heavy Urban Search and Rescue (HUSAR)
Forecasted
Heavy Urban Search and Rescue (HUSAR) supports Canada’s six task forces with equipment, specialized training and interoperability exercises to sustain capacity and strengthen coordinated disaster response.
Funder: Public Safety Canada
Due Dates (Anticipated): January 2027 (Annual call for proposals deadline)
Funding Amounts: Up to $1,250,000 per recipient per year and $6,250,000 per agreement; maximum 75% federal funding; multiyear agreements permitted
Summary: Supports equipment, specialized training and interoperability to sustain and develop Canada’s six Heavy Urban Search and Rescue Task Forces.
Key Information: Only provincial or municipal legal entities managing one of the six designated HUSAR Task Forces are eligible.
Description
Public Safety Canada’s Heavy Urban Search and Rescue (HUSAR) Program strengthens Canada’s most technically specialized urban search and rescue capabilities. It maintains existing capacity in Vancouver, Calgary, Manitoba and Toronto, while supporting capacity development in the underserved regions of Montreal and Halifax. The program responds to increasing disaster risks and the financial challenges of maintaining specialized response teams.
Funding supports equipment, specialized training, workshops, conferences and interoperability exercises that enable timely, effective and coordinated disaster response. HUSAR teams combine search and rescue, communications, logistics, emergency medical assistance, technical and canine search, and structural assessment. These capabilities support responses to building collapses, mudslides, flooding, forest fires and other disasters, contributing to safer and more resilient communities.
