People gathered in Martinez Thursday night to find out what's to happen after four Contra Costa County fire stations shutter next Tuesday.

Fire Chief Daryl Louder explained to dozens of concerned residents that the closure of the four fire houses is a last resort to save $6 million a year and close a budget deficit.

"My concern is the response time," said Brenda Colbert, a Martinez resident. "Who's going to take care of us?"

Barbara Eye lives steps from the Martinez fire station, one that's slated to close, and said she has a heart condition and that firefighters recently saved her husband's life when he stopped breathing.

"They just took care of my husband not too long ago," she said. "They're just not going to be around. Yeah, this upsets me."

The fire district said it has no choice but to close the four fire stations.

In addition to the one in Martinez, fire houses in Lafayette, Walnut Creek and Clayton are also closing.

Last November, Contra Costa County voters failed to pass a parcel tax that fire officials said would have provided the revenue to keep the stations open.

"Response times will increase throughout the fire district because of these closures," said Contra Costa County Fire Marshal Lewis Broschard. "We're looking to work with our partners, AMR Ambulance, as well as using some strategic deployment plans."

"I don't think it's fair," said Marcial Barrera, a Martinez resident. "We need our firefighters. We need our public services."

The district said there will be no layoffs. Currently, there are 220 firefighters in the county.

They said that's far short of the national standard, 600 firefighters for a district this size.

There will be another public meeting Tuesday in Lafayette to address public concerns there.