Dispatch Operator in front of Screen

Surrey Fire Regional Dispatch

Surrey Fire Regional Dispatch provides emergency dispatch services to more than 50 communities.

Surrey Fire Regional Dispatch provides professional call-taking and dispatch for the Surrey Fire Service and several other municipalities across British Columbia. Over the years, we have grown our client base to multiple fire departments covering over 25% of the BC population for fire dispatch.

Dispatching for the fire service since 1975, our technology, team and services have all been tailored to serve the needs of fire crews across the province. 

Call Volumes

Along with emergency fire dispatch, we provide after-hours public works for eleven lower mainland jurisdictions and after-hours bylaws for the City of Surrey.

In 2022, we generated more than 115,000 incidents for service. Innovations in technology provide automated down-streamed interfaces with the British Columbia Ambulance Services for CAD to CAD interoperability, providing the responding crews with quicker notification and overall faster response times.

Performance Measurements & Targets

Surrey Fire Regional Dispatch follows the National Fire Protection Association standards for its performance measurements and targets:

  • 911 call answering down-streamed calls from the Primary Service Answering Point (PSAP) in 15 seconds or less 95% of the time and within 40 seconds or less 99% of the time.
  • Dispatch processing emergency calls over the five-year period (2018-2022) are 48.6 seconds, well exceeding the standard. (The 2019 NFPA standard dictates that emergency alarm processing shall be completed within 60 seconds or less, 90% of the time).

How We Operate

Surrey Fire Service operates on a two-platoon (or four-shift) system, with a group of full-time call-takers and dispatchers permanently assigned to each shift. These employees are supplemented by a team of dedicated and fully trained part-time staff that assist in matching peak staffing and coverage as required in the Centre.

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Our Employees

In total, we currently employ 32 individuals in our Dispatch Centre. Our operators have an average of 10 years of fire-specific dispatch experience, and our comprehensive training requirements ensure that every operator is highly skilled and prepared to handle the needs of everything from high call volume urban centres to rural volunteer departments.

Surrey Fire Service is committed to providing comprehensive training and development programming. Employees are required to complete skills maintenance drills monthly, advance their education through related training material, and actively participate in department-wide training events, under the direction of a qualified shift supervisor and overseen by the Communications Manager.

Our Systems

Our systems are also continually updated to anticipate and serve the needs of firefighters. We understand that communication is critical, which is why Surrey Fire Regional Dispatch operators monitor tactical talk groups and provide continual support to on-scene fire crews, while at the same time maximizing efficiency and eliminating the need to carry two radios.

Our Commitment

Surrey Fire continues to advance its dispatching and service boundaries, answering to requests for proposals across British Columbia and identifying best practices for innovation and improved service levels. We are proud of the exceptional service we provide the citizens of Surrey and our client fire departments.

Interested in a career in fire dispatching?

Dispatch Station with Radio Operators

Surrey Fire Regional Dispatch is now offering information sessions to those who are interested in learning more on what it takes to become a fire dispatcher.

These 2-hour sessions will describe the details of a career that is widely unknown but is a critical component in saving lives and property.

Learn about:

  • the dispatch centre
  • types of calls
  • the characteristics of a successful dispatcher
  • the training program
  • shift patterns, wages and benefits.

Next session to be held in fall of 2023, check back for updates. For more information contact SFRegionalDispatch@surrey.ca.

Fire Departments We Serve

  • Anglemont Volunteer Fire Department
  • Bowen Island Fire Department
  • Bralorne Volunteer Fire Department
  • Celista Volunteer Fire Department
  • Colwood Fire Rescue
  • Cranberry Volunteer Fire Department
  • District of North Vancouver Fire Rescue
  • Eagle Bay Volunteer Fire Department
  • East Wellington Fire Department
  • Esquimalt Fire Rescue
  • Extension Volunteer Fire Department
  • Falkland Volunteer Fire Department
  • Field Fire Rescue
  • Gabriola Volunteer Fire Department
  • Golden Fire Rescue
  • Langford Fire Rescue
  • Langley City Fire Rescue Service
  • Lantzville Fire Rescue
  • Lillooet Fire Department
  • Lions Bay Fire Rescue
  • Malakwa Volunteer Fire Department
  • Maple Ridge Fire Rescue
  • Nanaimo Fire Rescue
  • Nicholson Volunteer Fire Department
  • North Cedar Fire Department
  • North Saanich Fire Department
  • North Vancouver City Fire Department
  • Pitt Meadows Fire Rescue
  • Port Coquitlam Fire & Emergency Services
  • Ranchero/Deep Creek Volunteer Fire Department
  • Revelstoke Fire Rescue Services
  • Salmon Arm Fire Department
  • Sasamat Fire Department
  • Scotch Creek/Lee Creek Volunteer Fire Department
  • Seton Valley Fire Department
  • Shuswap Volunteer Fire Department
  • Sicamous Fire Department
  • Sidney Fire Rescue
  • Silver Creek Volunteer Fire Department
  • Skwlax Fire Department
  • Surrey Fire Service
  • Swansea Point Volunteer Fire Department
  • Tappen/Sunnybrae Volunteer Fire Department
  • Township of Langley Fire Department
  • Victoria Fire Department
  • View Royal Fire Rescue
  • West Vancouver Fire Rescue
  • White Lake Volunteer Fire Department
  • White Rock Fire Rescue

Resources & Contact Us

For more information about Surrey Fire Regional Dispatch, email us at SFRegionalDispatch@surrey.ca.

Brochure for Surrey Fire Regional Dispatch