That should work (Options/Emulator/Save Type/Flash 128K and upper one is "automatic"). I have just tried it out too.
At 1st, I don't know what to do with that either. But, when I get gpSPhone emulator in my iPhone, I try playing that FR rom. Unexpectly, it worked. So, I just copy the save file from the iPhone and continue playing with VBA. You are using VBA(visualboy advance), right?
Now I see this post and I try it out just right now too. It work smoothly just once. I try to save it, reset the game and load it again. It's ok.
You really need to clear all ".sav" file, ".sa1" file (".sa2", ".sa3", etc. if there were) for the game. Just leave only that "***fire red***.gba" file. * means the name will be different from site to site where you downloaded it.
You should try downloading again either the rom file or emulator or both. If error keep going, try downloading at different websites.
If it's ok, you can send that emulator setting file to my email
chinabig.bigchina@gmail.com. I will help checking it out. The setting file is "vba1.ini" or "vba1". Say something if you send it. Don't send plain file or I might deleted it thinking it can be virus or something. Better if u can send the emulator file too because I want to know which version you are using and I don't need to find it everywhere on the net.