The Bartlett Fire Protection District officially dedicated its new $5.1 million Fire Station 3 Sunday with a grand-opening celebration.

The new station has the capacity to house nine people and seven vehicles, and serves the area south of Lake Street to Stearns Road and west of Route 59 to the western county border along Route 25. Six firefighters and emergency medical technicians are stationed there.

According to Fire Chief Kevin Heine, about 200 people showed up for the dedication ceremony, which included a flag raising, tour of the station, the swearing in of three new firefighters and the promotion of three more.

Firefighters promoted to lieutenant were Jeff Childers, Ed Stryczek and Dave Zamistil. The three new firefighters sworn in were Nick McLoud, Mike Siegmann and Nick Acker.

The building aims to have about 65 percent fewer heating costs compared to older fire houses of the same size. This is because of the unique construction of two smaller vehicle garages instead of one large one, Heine said.
The building construction started in October 2007.