Group Commander (Repsonse)

Overview

As Group Commander – Response, you lead the operational response for Surrey Fire and Rescue Service with values-led, high-performance leadership. You’ll oversee readiness, assurance and incident command when needed, shaping station-based teams and service-wide resilience. Your role supports the 2025–2030 Community Risk Management Plan and a culture that is inclusive and professional. The position offers flexible working with a focus on Surrey-area operations and strategic improvement across the service.

Pay / Benefits

• flexible working arrangements
• Surrey Allowance: 1,754 per annum
• Continuous Professional Development payment: 949 per annum
• 20% flexi-duty officer allowance where applicable
• salary range 71,924.40–79,734.00 per year
• public sector pension (implied)

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership across the Response function, ensuring safe, resilient and high-quality emergency response arrangements
• Act as Level 3 Incident Commander when required for complex or significant incidents (Flexi Duty System Officer)
• Lead and develop station-based teams and operational managers to promote accountability and continuous improvement
• Maintain oversight of operational readiness, crewing, and deployment of people and resources
• Ensure compliance with legislation, Fire Standards, National Operational Guidance, service policy and SOPs
• Use performance data and organisational learning to identify risk and improve performance
• Lead and contribute to projects and change programmes to improve operational effectiveness and resilience
• Manage establishments and physical resources aligned with service priorities
• Build relationships with representative bodies, internal departments, partners and other fire services
• Champion staff wellbeing, inclusion and ethical decision-making

Key requirements

• Substantive Station Commander or current SFRS Group Commander
• Experience leading high-performing operational teams or departments
• Understanding of operational assurance, workforce planning and SOPs
• Current accredited Level 3 Incident Command qualification
• Strong knowledge of National Operational Guidance, Fire Standards, health and safety responsibilities
• Excellent leadership, communication, stakeholder management, judgement and decision-making
• Experience of project/change management and using evidence to drive improvement
• Proficiency with IT systems and reporting tools
• Full UK driving licence
• Eligibility for DBS and British Security Clearance
• Clear of active capability action plans or disciplinary sanctions

• strong leadership and stakeholder management
• clear communication
• judgement and decisive decision-making
• Level 3 Incident Command
• National Operational Guidance
• Fire Standards

…