NEWBURGH, N.Y. — A lack of funding because of an expired federal grant has now resulted in a reduction in the Newburgh firefighting force.

"As of Sunday, we laid off five firemen," said Lt. Brendan Hogan, president of the firefighters union in the City of Newburgh. "You sit there and you know the day is coming, but when the day actually arrives you aren't really prepared for it."

Twelve firefighters were set to be laid off but the city chose to save three with the general fund. Out of the resulting nine, a captain retired to save a spot and three transferred to nearby Arlington Fire District. 

"You always hate to see guys lose their job,” said Hogan. “We're hopeful that it will be back soon, we're still waiting on word from the safer grant from FEMA."

FEMA awarded the City of Newburgh two SAFER grants to keep firefighters on staff. Normally, the grant is only awarded one time, and Newburgh is hoping for a third. 

Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney has been working with FEMA for the past several years to get grants to support the department.

In a statement, Rep. Maloney said: "The folks at City Hall have had more than enough time to come up with some solutions to prevent these layoffs. And without these firefighters, response times will slow and our community will be left to pay the price."

Now that there are fewer firefighters on staff, overtime becomes even more of a concern. 

"We have nine less people to staff the rigs," said Hogan. "So now it's going to take one less person going on vacation, or getting sick to have to fill that spot."

The firefighters union says they're waiting to discuss solutions with the city. 

"Let's hope we can have an honest discussion one of these days about how to properly staff a fire department and also control the costs that are associated with it," said Hogan. "We've been willing and open to have those discussions with the city, but unfortunately they've fallen on deaf ears."

And they're not giving up hope just yet on bringing the five firefighters back. 

"We've got our fingers crossed," said Hogan.