Cullman Fire Station No. 3 will officially open with a ribbon cutting ceremony Tuesday. 

When the ribbon is snipped at Cullman Fire Station No. 3 next week, the city will have in place expansive fire protection coverage.

With four bays, training facilities and a storm-proof building to work from, Cullman Fire Rescue will be in a position to provide the north side of the city and beyond with rapid response.

“Chief (Edward) Reinhardt has done an excellent job in planning for this, and the mayor and city council had the vision to carry through on this project,” said Division Chief Brian Bradberry, who will step into Reinhardt’s role later in the spring.

“Having this type of facility and the others we have across the city is something that’s important to the citizens and businesses and helps with recruitment,” Bradberry said. “This is something companies want to know — do you have a professional, paid fire department? And we do.”

The new station features four bays, classroom, lodging for firefighters and an operations and administrative center. Fire Station No. 1 at City Hall will also remain staffed and in operation, as well as No. 2 in the west side of the city.

“This station may also help some home owners with their insurance rates if they are in a certain proximity,” Bradberry said.

Bradberry said Reinhardt has been instrumental in determining the features and technology of the new station.

“He has been involved in this from the beginning and has been there every day to make sure everything is in place. He has brought this department a long way,” Bradberry said.

Included in the features is a tower that will double as a hose dryer and for technical rescue training.

“Firefighters will be able to do their rope training for rescues. It’s not something you see often, but it’s important training,” Bradberry said.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony will be at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday. The station is behind the Merchants Bank branch along Alabama 157.

Tiffeny Owens contributed to this report.