Surrey Fire and Rescue Service has been working with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on future governance arrangements following local government reorganisation.
Surrey Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) will be moving to a new governance model, with a Combined Fire and Rescue Authority (CFRA) being created to oversee the service from 1 April 2027 (subject to a Government consultation in the Summer).
This change is designed to ensure SFRS continues to operate effectively across the whole of Surrey. In short, it means that SFRS will become a standalone fire and rescue service, governed by councillors who were elected on the 7 May 2026 to the new unitary councils.
What does this mean for residents?
For people who live, work or visit Surrey, there will be no change to the service you receive.
- Your local fire stations will remain the same
- Our crews will continue to respond to emergencies as usual
- Prevention and protection work in communities will continue
- We will still operate across the same Surrey-wide area
Our priority throughout this process is maintaining a safe, reliable and high-quality service for all our communities.
What does this mean for the service?
We are working closely with Surrey County Council, government, and partners across Surrey to plan for the transition.
This includes:
- Ensuring services continue without disruption
- Preparing for new governance arrangements
- Supporting our workforce through the changes
All existing SFRS staff are expected to transfer to the new organisation with their current terms and conditions protected under Transfer of Undertakings [Protection of Employment] regulations (TUPE).
What happens next?
The Government are due to launch a consultation in the summer (2026) requesting feedback on the CFRA direction of travel for SFRS.
Planning and transition work is already underway, and we will continue to share updates as more detail is confirmed.
Our focus is on:
- Providing clear and timely information
- Engaging with staff, residents and partners
- Ensuring a smooth transition to the new arrangements