The Authority is responsible for carrying out the duties required by the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004.

	Securing the services of a fire brigade for its area
	Securing the efficient training of its fire fighters
	Making sure arrangements are in place to receive calls and summon members of the fire brigade
	Gathering information on the character of buildings and water supplies
	Securing arrangements to alleviate damage to property in the course of firefighting
	Giving fire safety advice
	Enforcing laws providing for fire safety within its area.

The Authority sets the fire authority's annual budget and the cost of carrying out its duties are met partly by council tax in each council area and partly by government grant and business rates.

The Authority also carries out other functions, such as rescue services or attending non-fire incidents. These include:

	Rescuing trapped and/or injured people where no fire is involved eg: at road traffic collisions
	Dealing with spillages and accidental release of substances endangering life or the environment e.g. chemical or toxic substances inadvertently released
	Responding to extreme weather conditions eg: pumping water from flooded property

As part of its duties laid down in the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004, the Authority provides fire advice in the community. This means educating the public about fire safety.

The Authority was established in 1998 following local government reorganisation. Shropshire County Council and Borough of Telford and Wrekin are the Councils responsible for the Authority but are independent from it. Representative members of each Council sit on the Authority which then oversees the Fire Brigade’s finances, strategies and operations.