A shortage of firefighters at the Greens Farms and Coleytown firehouses in Westport is causing concern from the uniformed firefighters union.

"We are no longer able to protect you in a way your family deserves," union president Nick Marsan wrote in a statement to residents.

Marsan is urging residents to voice their concerns to the town government so they can hopefully get at least three firefighters at each station.

Currently, the Greens Farms and Coleytown firehouses have two-person crews. Marsan says that can pose a serious threat to both families and firefighters of Westport.

"We really need the public to understand that if you live in Coleytown or you live in Greens Farms, if there's a fire or another type of emergency in your home, the initial responding unit is going to be only two people, and they're going to be very limited in the decisions they can make or the actions they can take," he says.

Westport First Selectman Jim Marpe says he believes the town's fire personnel is staffed appropriately when it comes to safety concerns and finances. He says not only are other Westport fire departments close enough to provide timely assistance, but so are surrounding towns.