Seattle police and fire chiefs say they are cutting nearly 60 police and firefighter positions, but promise no reduction in safety or service to the public. And they promise no sworn officers will be laid off.

But while there may not be layoffs, there will certainly be fewer police officers and firefighters.

Late Tuesday afternoon, Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske and Fire Chief Gary Morris said they will cut nearly $10 million from their departments by cutting people who are retiring -- not through layoffs.

They also promised when the public needs emergency services, they would notice only a minimal difference.

The two chiefs add they have redeployed police officers and firefighters in such a way that emergency services won't be affected.

"The ones that are not going to have an impact on -- our ability to investigate crime, respond to calls for service, deal with victims of crime -- these are the ones that we've targeted for reduction in a really tough budget and fiscal time," Kerlikowske said.

Here's the breakdown:

The Police Department will cut 27 sworn officers from the ranks -- a captain, a lieutenant and 25 officers, detectives and sergeants.

The fire department is cutting 33 firefighter positions plus one manager who is also a firefighter.

Both the police and fire union leaders believe this puts citizens at greater risk and means emergency personnel will also be in greater danger.

"Any further cuts are going to negatively impact our ability to respond to fire and medical emergencies here in the city of Seattle," said Charles Hawkins Jr. with the Seattle Firefighters Union.

The police union echoed those statements.

"When we already have units that are multi-tasking, when we have to scrape to get by with big events like WTO or a Mardi Gras we're definitely putting public safety at risk," said Ken Saucier, the Seattle Police Union President.

To make the cuts, the fire department is decommissioning one engine and two medical aid cars. They expect other firefighting and medical response units to pick up the slack.

Both chiefs agree the public will notice some difference, although they believe it will be slight.

Both unions say they hope to work with the city through the next few months to avert these cuts.

The mayor's office ordered cuts citywide, as they have to plug a $60 million shortfall in next year's budget because of lower tax revenues.T