DEMOPOLIS &8212; Based on turnout alone, the grand opening of Fire Station No. 3 was a success. The place was packed &8212; firefighters, families, friends and dignitaries sat side-by-side to celebrate a triumph for the city.

It was the culmination of a plan that almost wasn&8217;t. The struggle to bring Fire Station No. 3 online stalled for several months. But for the Demopolis firefighters and the community members who attended, the wait was worth it.

Demopolis Fire Chief Ron Few was understandably proud.

Bringing a building online like the new fire station took a lot of work from a lot of different people, Mayor Cecil P. Williamson said.

And U.S. Rep. Artur Davis &8212; in town on a quick whistle-stop tour around Marengo County &8212; said the firefighters deserve the best, like the new fire station.

The fire department also paid respect to its past, dedicating the new building&8217;s front room to former fire chief Aubrey Randall.

Randall was with the Demopolis Fire Department from 1955-1990.

In a final symbolic moment, the firefighters moved around the truck stationed at the firehouse and pushed it into the bay. And finally, Fire Station No. 3 felt like home.

The new fire station features a bay large enough for two fire trucks, a full kitchen and dining room, a laundry station and individual bedrooms for the firefighters stationed there.