The village of Port Chester has voted to eliminate the paid fire department.

By a vote of 5-1, the village board voted to cut the eight jobs in order to save about $600,000 in the 2016-17 budget.

Firefighters protested Tuesday afternoon against the village trustees' decision. They say the village expects to fight fires with volunteer resources.

"I kept fighting for my family, for this job," said Heriberto Virella, who volunteered for the Port Chester Fire Department for 15 years. "Teach them not to fight and not to give up."

The firefighters who lost their jobs say they are looking at their legal options. Several attempts were made to speak with Port Chester Mayor Dennis Pilla, but he did not return News 12's calls for comment.