JOHNSON CITY, N.Y. -- Staffing cuts could be on their way to fire departments across the state if crucial funding doesn't continue.

Senator Charles Schumer was in Johnson City on Monday morning, pushing to increase funding for the SAFER grant. The grant allows villages with small budgets to more adequately staff their departments.

In Johnson City, five firefighters are currently staffed under the grant, which is set to expire this year. Union president Matthew Lee says proper staffing during a fire could be the difference between life and death.

"When you don't have enough firefighters, there's more work to do and it's less safe," Lee said. "That job that you need to do when you get on the scene, if you don't have the guy to do it, it's going to take longer to get it done."

The Johnson City Fire Department currently employs 34 people.