Local MP Jeremy Hunt met with Surrey’s emergency service chief officers at Waverley Borough Council offices on Friday (8th February) to discuss emergency response times in Haslemere following concerns from local residents about how long it takes for the three main services to reach the town once they are called.
Present at the meeting were Chief Constable Lynne Owen, Chief Fire Officer Russell Pearson together with the Chief Executive of South East Coast Ambulance Service Paul Sutton, Cllr Knowles leader of Waverley Borough Council, Cllr Nicky Lee (Haslemere East & Grayswood), Cllr Carole King (Haslemere Crictmere & Shottermill) and Surrey County Councillor Steve Renshaw.
The Chief Constable told Mr Hunt that response times in Haslemere had improved over the last year but told members that rural areas are always a challenge.
Cllr Lee raised concerns over ambulance response times which appeared to be much longer in the rural areas of Haslemere compared with urban areas. Mr Sutton undertook to look into a number of incidents.
Chief Fire Officer Russell Pearson, reassured local members that there were no plans to close or remove Haslemere Fire station to Milford.
Cllr Knowles (Haslemere East & Grayswood) said, “I am very pleased that the threat to Haslemere Fire Station has been removed and welcome the news from the Chief Officer, which will reassure residents”.
Jeremy Hunt said “Haslemere has always been geographically out on a limb which makes emergency service response times particularly important. Things are getting better and I am confident that all three chief officers went away from the meeting willing to tackle the outstanding issues - but we now need to see the improvements actually delivered."