DECATUR, Ga. - DeKalb County fire chief David Foster says proposed budget cuts could cost the county a federal grant that funds 64 firefighters.

County CEO Burrell Ellis' proposed budget calls for a $1.3 million cut to the fire department as part of a countywide budget-tightening to make up for a $50 million decline in revenue.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency awarded the fire department a $6.9 million grant to pay for 64 firefighters for five years. Foster says the grant requires the department to maintain its staffing and budget level as it was in 2008.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Keith Barker, the county's chief operating officer, said he would check to see if any changes can be made in the budget.

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Information from: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, http://www.ajc.com

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