The sign says it all. The Reno Police Department's Central Substation in downtown is closed. It went dark because most of the staff who worked there were just let go.

"They're all walking off the job today," says Chief Steve Pitts.

Friday morning, Chief Pitts sat down with all 29 people his department laid off. Twelve of them were community service officers, or CSOs, who worked at the central substation.

"What they do is parking enforcement. Police reports. And the way those gaps will be dealt with is those will be referred to the desk," says Chief Pitts.

Eleven patrol officers were also among the 29 employees cut from the force. But the chief says RPD is resilient.

"We've done an immediate reorganization of patrol assets and resources. So people out in the community, if you need us, you're going to get a police officer," says Chief Pitts.

Reno's Fire Department is also trying to figure out how to do more with fewer people.

"We're losing 36 of our members pursuant to the decisions of council and it's going to have an effect on us," says Dennis Jacobsen, president of the Reno Firefighters Association.

Members of Reno's Firefighters Association are scrambling to come up with solutions the city may not have considered, in order to try to reduce the strain on services. And city officials have said they're open to discussions from unions.

Jacobsen wouldn't be specific about the ideas they have cooking, since they're still trying to negotiate.

"The team has got some ideas that I believe the city would be interested in hearing. I believe they are things they can do in the short term that might provide some relief," says Jacobsen.

"We're also hopeful. As you saw in our team in there that they are willing and able to meet with us in the short term to see if we can provide some relief or at least put up some ideas that they may or may not have considered in their time of financial need," says Jacobsen.