"As your chief, I’m still going to do everything I can. But I cannot in good faith allow you to go outside this building and respond to emergency calls because it’s not safe."

That's what Danielson Fire Chief Keven McNeill told his firefighters, announcing a safety stand down would go into effect at 11:59 p.m. Tuesday.

With only eight sets of turnout gear, McNeill said firefighters are risking thier lives and can't do thier jobs safely and effectively, NBC Conneticut reported.

The pause in operations will last at least 15 days or until elected officials come up with a plan to purchase the vital gear.

McNeill said he's been asking for $200,000 to purchase essential gear and safety equipment. The department is currently working with $25,000.

The decision came after a heated meeting with town officials. 

During the stand down, mutual aid companies will be handling emergencies.

The chief explained that during a recent house fire, crews were trying to piece together gear to don before entering.

“One of the firefighters realized very quickly that his gear was ill-fitting. He was going to go to the interior, and then he was able to realize very quickly that gear just wasn’t going to fit him."

A reporter who walked through the station recently noted that turnout gear was damaged and expired.

“It’s very frustrating. We got on scene, and we had members that were coming up to me saying, I don’t have enough gloves, or I’m missing this,” said Caleb Davis, the president of the Danielson Firefighters Association. 

Firefighters listed the equipment missing, damaged and needed in a letter posted on its Facebook page.