NASSAU COUNTY, FL -- The high prices at the pump are forcing a local fire department to make changes.

Nassau County says it simply can't afford to work the way it used to. But pinching pennies and public safety are not things you want to hear in the same sentence.

"It's definitely changed the way we do our job," said Mike Eddins, at Fire Station 70 in Nassau County. He says from training to rescue they're cutting back.

Fire Chief, Chuck Cooper says it's all because of gas prices.

"Prices started out at $2.78 a gallon and that's what we were asked to use to establish our budget for 2007-2008," said Cooper.

So they set the budget at $146,000. But with the end of their fiscal year still four months away, they're getting dangerously close to bottom of their pot. "We've already way surpassed that goal. We are already right at the over 75% to 80% at most of our categories," said Cooper.

While the firefighters continue their daily grind, Cooper says he's about to ask the county for an additional $70,000 just so they can pay at the pump.

In the meantime, things are changing.

"We're no longer going to be out checking fire hydrants, anything we have to do to check fire hose, we do at fire stations, territory training will be done by map books, instead of actually going out and looking at the streets," said Cooper.

While they'll still respond to 911 calls, Cooper says they may be forced to choose which ones.

"If a heart attack call comes in at the same time as someone possibly hurting themselves, we're going to the heart attack victim first," said Cooper.

Cooper says firefighters are also being asked to stay within their own territory unless they're absolutely needed in another zone in Nassau. They were asked to go help with the huge wildfire in Brevard County last month, but because of the price of gas, they were forced to stay home.