2024 Surrey Fire Service Annual Report

2024 Accomplishment Highlights:

J With Mayor and Council support, hired 22 additional staff to support the growing community demands for public safety.

J Implemented the 24-hour shift trial for suppression staff.

J Negotiated with Metro Vancouver Regional District, the Province and TELUS to achieve a Surrey specific Next Generation 9-1-1 Local Governing Authority Agreement. J Embarked on a multi-modal communication strategy to deliver fire service career information to the South Asian community to encourage a diverse pool of firefighter applicants. J Mayor and Council endorsed the Fire Service 10 Year Infrastructure Plan to address fire hall capacity to meet the current and future needs for fire service growth.

J Increased staffing in the South Surrey area by adding a new rescue truck based out of Hall 13.

J Delivered 26 workshops designed to support and promote a career in the Fire Service.

J Conducted over 12,700 smoke alarm functionality verifications, with a rate of 62.9% working smoke alarms at residential fires. J Hosted a successful public open house event at all our firehalls to provide fire prevention education and meaningful interactions with the firefighters. J Partnered with Surrey Food Bank and Surrey Christmas Bureau to collect food hampers and toys for low income families and children in need. J Created a database of residential properties containing energy storage systems such as: photovoltaic solar panel systems and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to ensure firefighter safety when responding to incidents at these locations. J Worked with the City of Surrey Filming Department to create an application guideline for fireworks, special effects and pyrotechnics. This provides the filming industry with standardized guidelines for fire safety when filming in the city. J Expanded our employee wellness program to include cardiovascular testing and blood chemistry screening together with cancer education for all staff. J Collaborated with the Planning and Development and Social Infrastructure Departments to develop a Temporary Winter Sheltering Application Guideline. The guideline has been effective in providing applicants with clear communication on the application process as well as the regulatory, technical and operational requirements that provide a consistent level of fire and life safety within the shelter spaces.

SURREY FIRE SERVICES ANNUAL REPORT | DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW 9