Gilroy, Calif.- Budget problems lead to a brownout for a local fire department. Starting this month, Gilroy’s Sunrise fire station will be shut down three weeks a month to offset losses because of the city's budget crisis. Now there's a new idea to save even more money that has firefighters concerned for their safety.

 Council Member Craig Gartman wants to remove the requirement to temporarily close the station if one of their members is out.  He sent an email to all council members that states that he wants to negotiate with the fire union in the next council meeting and “Allow all three station to operate with a minimum of three fire personnel at any time."

Jim Buessing the Secretary for the Gilroy Fire Fighters Association and a firefighter that has served Gilroy for 18 years says lowering firefighters per engine is risky for them and the community. “We need to look what's best for us also when it comes to our safety and job if we get hurt in the line of duty it doesn't help the person that we are trying to help out," said Buessing.

 Gilroy Firefighters base their safety measures by the National Fire Protection Association that requires four firefighters per engine. Jim said it’s not safe to enter a house if they don't have two firefighters outside to back them up. “Within minutes you can see a room from incipient stage to a flash over and that’s not good for citizens or residents inside," said Buessing.

In addition, each time they have an emergency they would have to call a second engine for help, which lowers the response level for other areas.

We contacted Council Member Craig Gartman, but he was not available. The Mayor said more information will be available in their next city council meeting November 16th.