AS the debate over the future of Haslemere Fire Station continues, the Audit Commission has praised Surrey Fire and Rescue Service for the very plans that threaten Haslemere's whole-time fire cover.

Surrey's Fire and Rescue Service has been recognised as one of the top eight fire services in the UK for its "efficient work in reforming and modernising the county's fire-service provision".

The accreditation was recognised by the independent watchdog, the Audit Commission, in its interim report relating to reform within all fire services.

The service, which has recently been consulting on a major plan to improve efficiency and fire prevention, the Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP), was praised by the Audit Commission for its progress in planning, implementing and delivering a comprehensive modernisation programme.

Steve Myers, Chief Fire Officer for Surrey, said: "We cannot over-emphasise the importance of delivering the government's modernisation agenda in Surrey. We are improving our working patterns, providing an efficient and modern service and also aim to prevent more fires from occurring in the first place by allocating more resources into fire prevention, community-based work.

"Preventing fires and all emergencies taking place in the first place is, by far, a more pro-active approach."

In Haslemere, the proposed plans would result in a slashing of the numbers of full-time firefighters based at Haslemere Fire Station, and the turning over of evening and weekend cover to retained firefighters.

None of the existing firefighters would lose his job, but they would be redistributed throughout other fire stations in Surrey.

The other main part of the plans is the provision of community safety officers, who will work with the public to raise fire safety awareness and fire prevention.

Following a period of public consultation on the plans, a decision was due to be made by the county council on March 16.

However, after a meeting between prospective Tory candidate for SW Surrey, Jeremy Hunt, county councillor Christine Stevens and the leader of Surrey County Council, Nick Skellett, to discuss the proposed changes, the decision has now been delayed until March 30.

The proposals, however, continue to meet with stiff opposition from both members of the public and fire officers at Haslemere Fire Station.

Leading firefighter Ray Esher, speaking for many of his colleagues at Haslemere, said: "We are fully opposed to the changes. There are some good ideas on the proposals, such as the community safety officers, but we see the overall plans as a reduction of service.

"There are currently 28 full-time fire officers stationed here, which would be cut to 16 under the proposed plans. These 16 would provide cover from 7 am to 7 pm Monday to Friday, with evening and weekend cover being provided by retained firefighters. As it stands, Haslemere is currently the only whole-time station in quite a distance.

"These 16 will be offered a 20 per cent increase in pay, but most of us would like to see this idea scrapped and to keep the service as it is.

"Taking nothing away from the retained firefighters - they do a fantastic job - but we still see this as a reduction of service.

"The public is still very supportive of the fire station.

"We are overjoyed that the decision has been delayed, and we are chuffed to bits that Christine Stevens is pushing for extra community officers as well as whole-time cover, because we think that this is better than compromising the existing service."