Several Columbia firefighters are appealing to the City Council as the budget battle continues. 

In April, cuts hit the department hard; staff reductions and the removal of some fire engines were made.  The city was trying to save more than a million dollars a year.  On Wednesday, several firefighters are trying to get those trucks rolling again because they say lives could be in danger.

This issue really sparked a lot of concern for the firefighters.  On the agenda was how the city could help get those trucks back on the road.

The message from the firefighters to the city was to worry less about money, and worry more about the thousands of lives that could be in jeopardy if a fire breaks out in any of several communities.

Currently stations at Devine Street and Atlas Road only have five firefighters on shift instead of eight; and one ladder truck instead of both ladder and engine trucks.  This means if a fire were to break out, a truck would be dispatched from across town.  That could add valuable time when every second counts.

"That's a huge delay in our ability to fight a fire.  It's a huge delay in our ability to effect a rescue.  And when you look at the situation I just think the city is going to make progress," said firefighter Michael Consola.  "I think we brought it to their attention on how severe these things are. Now we need them to act."

The cost to get the trucks back up and running comes with a hefty price tag.  The fire department is still working out the numbers, but Cosola says for one truck it will cost nearly $700,000.  He says it's still a small price to pay to save a life.