Los Angeles firefighters on Friday said lives were in danger because of staffing cuts - a claim that sparked accusations from a city councilman that they were exaggerating to foment public fear.

Flanked by more than a dozen off-duty firefighters, Pat McOsker, president of United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, urged the City Council to restore the department to full staffing.

Because of budget cuts, the LAFD last year went on a rolling staff reduction, with 87 firefighters a day taken off duty.

"We need to reopen these fire companies before one of these guys gets killed," McOsker said. "And it will happen. A firefighter will lose his life because of the additional risk our folks are taking on."

But Councilman Greig Smith rebuked McOsker and rebutted his claims.

"I have asked you not to do this," Smith shouted at McOsker. "You are giving the impression we are closing fire stations when we are not. I resent it. I wish you would start being honest with the public."

UFLAC has presented its own proposal to the city that it says would restore the fire companies to full staffing.

However, city officials have been concerned that it would result in additional costs to the city.