2024 Surrey Fire Service Annual Report

Community Property Safety Team The Distressed Properties Model, developed by Surrey Fire Services, is operated by two Fire Prevention- Community Risk Reduction Officers; leveraging the existing legislation requiring property owners to secure their vacant properties through the application of an escalating compliance model which increases the City’s security measures. The Community Property Safety (CPS) Team continues to encourage property owners to demolish or re-invest in their properties, contributing to community risk reduction. Since its inception, the model has resulted in a significant decline in structure fires in abandoned homes. By utilizing data sources available to local government, the department uses a predictive model for identifying properties in decline or abandonment state, proven to enhance efficiency by prioritizing Fire Prevention Inspectors efforts.

2024 Distressed Properties Lifecycle The CPS Team conducts assessments of properties to ascertain whether they fit the criteria outlined in the Distressed Properties Model. If a property qualifies, an order is issued to the owner, outlining their responsibility to ensure the property is adequately secured. The CPS Team then conducts follow-up inspections until compliance is achieved. The goal is to encourage property owners to either demolish or reinvest in their properties, thereby eliminating potential risks and enhancing overall community and firefighter safety.

2024 Distressed Properties 386 distressed properties managed in 2024

inspections of distressed properties 2,211 7

fires at distressed properties

distressed properties removed (Demolished, Re-invested or Reoccupied)

percentage of distressed properties ongoing in 2025

46%

54%

36 CITY OF SURREY