Cullman may not have its third fire station just yet, but its larger force of 45 firefighters are gearing up to operate like they do. On Monday, the Cullman City Council approved Fire Chief Ed Reinhardt's request to increase the department's minimum staffing personnel per shift from nine to 13 firefighters.
Additionally, the council agreed to eliminate the department’s minimum weather staffing level with more manpower now on hand.
“Right now, we have 15 firefighters per shift with three shifts,” Reinhardt said. “We want to start running calls like we have that third engine, get the firefighters and dispatch used to it, so when the station is built, everyone is ready and prepared to take calls.”
The city got a SAFER grant that funds pay and benefits for 12 additional firefighters for two years. Cullman is currently in the second year of that grant, after which the city will have to pick up the costs to cover firefighters’ pay.
Officials had hoped the new fire station would be up and running by February, but delays have pushed the estimated completion to November.
Site preparation is underway on Alabama 157 near Merchants Bank. When it opens, officials believe it will improve emergency response on the north side which has been growing with new retail developments.
In her motion supporting the change, Council Pro Tem Jenny Folsom recommended the city give Mayor Woody Jacobs the authority to implement the new policy.