2024 Surrey Fire Service Annual Report

Message from the Fire Chief

The City of Surrey is the second-largest city in British Columbia and the 10th largest in Canada. Surrey continues to be one of the fastest-growing cities in the province and in the country, welcoming thousands of new residents each month. A city with this kind of major growth has many opportunities and challenges. Surrey Fire Services manages these challenges with great commitment by using a creative, strategic approach that emphasizes safety, embraces best practices, data-informed policymaking, long-range planning and cooperation between departments and agencies.

Our initiatives include:

J Reducing and preventing public safety risks by following a Community Risk Reduction approach.

J Reducing residential fires and casualties through the HomeSafe program.

J Reducing residential fires at distressed or abandoned properties.

J Maintaining emergency plans for mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.

J Providing staff with a preventative health screening program to educate and reduce the risk of various occupational illnesses.

J Reducing duplication in vehicle collision responses through cooperation with the Surrey Police.

J Supporting collision reduction efforts in partnership with the City of Surrey’s Transportation Engineering Department. J Providing support to initiatives such as the Second Responder Program, designed to reduce fatal opioid overdose in residences.

J Promote equity, diversity and inclusion in our recruitment.

With the continued support from Mayor and Council, Surrey Fire Services is able to provide the needed additional resources that match the city’s growing needs; and implement innovative solutions that enhance our services and improve operational efficiency.

Larry Thomas, Fire Chief