Toronto firefighters have launched a website and say they'll go door-to-door in the city to explain to residents why their jobs shouldn't be cut in the upcoming budget exercise.

All city departments have been told by Mayor Rob Ford to cut their budgets by 10 per cent as part of a plan to wrestle with a $774 million shortfall — and that includes the fire department.

But the union that represents firefighters says that level of cut would translate into 400 layoffs and could leave the city vulnerable.

"Firefighters are not gravy," said Toronto Firefighter Association president Ed Kennedy.

"We have serious concerns what city hall is talking about with this 10 per cent budget cut to all departments. Budget cuts to [the fire department] will lead to an increase in response times and that will impact public safety."

The union now has a website (www.notgravy.ca) where it outlines its reason for opposing the cuts.

It has also hired a public relations firm and plans on taking its message to doorsteps across the city.

"We're going to be delivering pamphlets very soon," said Kennedy.

"We are starting with 200,000 homes and then another 200,000, until we have [delivered pamphlets to] all the homes in the city."

The fire department budget is currently $371 million and some city councillors have questioned whether that level should be maintained at a time when the number of fire calls continues to decrease.

But the union says a 10 percent budget cut would mean 400 fewer fire fighters and 22 fewer trucks.

The Ford administration continues to say there are no sacred cows in the budget tightening exercise.

"It's the taxpayer that has to foot the bill at the end of the day." said budget chief Mike Del Grande.

"I don't think the taxpayer — or this administration — is prepared to see double digit tax increases ...everyone has to pitch in."

Toronto police chief Bill Blair has also come out in defence of his department's nearly $1 billion budget.

Blair said last week that an across the board 10 per cent cut could result in 1,000 fewer officers.