THE fate of Slaithwaite fire station is to be decided on tomorrow.

West Yorkshire Fire Authority will decide whether to approve controversial plans to staff the station with part-time firefighters instead of the current full-time crew.

The change is one of many proposed in West Yorkshire Fire Service's

management plan.

Last year the Government introduced plans to allow fire chiefs more freedom to organise their resources.

The fire authority - made up of councillors from all over West Yorkshire - will decide whether to approve the plans at Friday's meeting.

The changes - which include improving Marsden fire station - will take effect in 2005, if approved.

Most of the changes centre on moving resources from low-risk areas to high-risk areas and pouring cash into working with the community to prevent fires.

Some of the ideas - including the Slaithwaite downgrading - have provoked opposition from firefighters and the Fire Brigades Union.

Sean Cahill, the union's West Yorkshire brigade secretary, said: "We have expressed concern.

"If uptake to join the part- time crew is poor, then the Slaithwaite area could be left without cover outside the hours when the nucleus crew is on duty.

"It will have to rely on cover from Meltham and Marsden, with all the problems of terrain, road conditions and weather," added Mr Cahill.

He added that the new part- time crew would be inexperienced.

Mr Cahill said the fire service should calculate an area's risk levels more accurately before moving resources.

The union has also objected to plans to send fewer fire engines to incidents.

Currently, varying numbers of engines are sent to different emergencies.

Under the new plans, just one would initially be sent to all emergencies. Back-up would be called for if necessary.

Mr Cahill said: "We are worried. It could increase the risk to crews and lengthen overall response times. We are concerned for the safety of our members."

West Yorkshire Chief Fire Officer Phil Toase said resources were not being cut.

He added: "West Yorkshire has the right level of resources, but they are by no means all in the right place.

"Resistance to change in the past has cost far too many lives."