Station 6, which has been an active part of the community since 1963, could be the victim of citywide budget cuts. In response to the budget crisis, the city manager's office mandated every department cut 3 percent of their budget, with the police and fire departments asked to cut 1.5 percent, said Assistant City Manager Mark Linder. He added that the fire department needs to cut $1.2 million from its 2004 budget. An even larger cut of $12 million from the fire department is anticipated for 2005, according to District 6 Councilman Ken Yeager.

Currently, Station 6 has five firefighters, an engine, a hose wagon and an air unit vehicle that is capable of refilling self-contained breathing units. Under the San Jose Fire Department's budget recommendation, Station 6 would lose one hose truck, which would result in the loss of three fire engineers.

"There'll be a change in the level of performance," said Willow Glen resident and Menlo Fire Division Chief of Special Operations Harold Schapelhouman. "Without the hose wagon, there's less capability to do their job."

Although the budget recommendations are submitted to the city by the Chief of the San Jose Fire Department, Acting Chief Dale Foster referred all budget questions to the city manager's office, said San Jose Fire Capt. spokewoman Allison Cabral.

And she added that the department is "not ready to comment" on the budget-cut recommendations at this time.

Linder said the city manager's office has received the proposal, but won't make a decision until near the holidays.

"My understanding is that it would have minimal impact, but we don't want to cut something until we review it," Linder said. "We try to balance our core services and the budget."

Councilman Yeager said cutting the hose truck is only a recommendation, and he "fought its removal several years ago." When he sees the city manager's budget in January, he said he will look for other places to make cuts in the fire department.

"It's been good to have the additional equipment and employees, but to not lay off any personnel, we have to make some tough choices," Yeager said. "We'll try to keep the hose wagon."

Willow Glen residents concerned about the proposed budget cuts to Fire Station 6 can contact Councilman Ken Yeager at 408.277.2206.