MUNCIE, Ind. -- Top fire officials in Muncie said they're concerned the public will suffer if widespread layoffs proposed by the mayor go through.

Last week, Mayor Sharon McShurley announced 40 firefighters, or about a third of the department, would be laid off in less than a month after the firefighters union failed to make concessions. Two fire stations were also shut down in an effort to trim costs.

McShurley said the cuts are necessary to chip away at the city's $3.8 million deficit. But she admitted even that might not be enough.

"Even if the city council were to implement some of the things they could implement, it still doesn't solve our problems. It is just a Band-Aid approach," she told 6News' Jennifer Carmack.

But Muncie Fire Chief Sean Burcham said losing so many firefighters all at once will put a strain on the system.

"I believe (public safety will be at risk) and so will the firefighters. Their lives will be at risk," he said.

The mayor has also instituted a protocol change when it comes to medical runs. Firefighters traditionally responded along with Delaware County EMS, but now the firefighters will be dispatched only if it is a serious accident.

"We're not going to go out on every vehicular accident, but if its something that's life and death, yes, we're going to be called out on that," McShurley said.

Others are worried the change will mean for day-to-day operations.

"I don't see a winning situation in this," said Tim Hutson, the director of Delaware County EMS. "I just think that we have to do the best we can,"

When asked if she was targeting the fire department, McShurley said she was not and pointed to cuts by other departments, like six new recruits laid off by the Muncie Police Department.

McShurley, the fire union and the city council president have 15 days to discuss the firefighter layoffs. If no resolution is reached, the firefighters with the least seniority will be laid off.