Scotland’s accounts commission has praised Fife Fire and Rescue Service (FFRS) for its effective work, but warned that budget constrains could lead to an increase in risk to the community.

The warning came as part of the commission’s audit of best value that has been carried out across Scottish fire services. The audit is hoping to highlight the strongest aspects of fire services in Scotland in order to maintain them as part of the government’s proposed single Scottish fire service.

Fife has already faced significant budget reductions, but in the face of a 4% decrease in each of the next three years, the commission has expressed its concern.

The report stated, “FFRS has been required to make significant financial savings over recent years and faces the need to make further budget reductions. So far, it has managed this effectively, maintaining service delivery standards at the same time as reducing the size of its workforce. However, it now faces significant challenges with the need to make further savings of 4 - 4.5 per cent in each of the following three years.

 “It now faces a specific challenge to maintain its standard crewing levels for all emergency responses. Managers have worked creatively to help minimise the impact of this, but it is difficult to see how further savings can be achieved without the potential for some increase in community risks.”

15 firefighters have already been transferred to neighbouring services to avoid redundancies.

The report however also praised the services preventative work and emergency response service.

It stated that “Over the past ten years there have been significant falls in the number of fires and in the number of deaths and injuries in Fife.”

It also highlighted the “strong culture of improvement” within the service.

Fife council’s chair of the police, fire and safety committee, George Kay, said, “Fife Fire & Rescue should be applauded for its continued commitment to facing the pressures of finding financial savings while maintaining and improving community safety.”

The proposal to create one single Scottish fire service is currently under review, with the hope of a new service being up and running by April 2013.