SILVERDALE – The Silverdale Community Center may have closed its doors to the public, but the building will provide one more service before its demolition in February: Central Kitsap Firefighters will be using the structure this week to conduct training on air management during a simulated structure fire.

Built in 1958, the Silverdale Billie Eder Community Center has significant water damage and its poor condition has made it a liability risk. It is estimated that it would cost more than $700,000 to repair the building. It is located at 9729 Silverdale Way NW.

During the exercise, firefighters will focus on monitoring their air supply and knowing when to exit a structure with enough air left in their pack for them to get out safely.

CKFR welcomed the opportunity to work in a location other than the training tower at the Kitsap Readiness Center, or at CKFRs Station 41. While the towers are important, they have a somewhat sterile environment. But a structure like the community center will provide more of a “real life” scenario with a complicated layout.

While there will be no live fire during the training, structure fire conditions will be simulated.

“Firefighters will work on moving hose and keeping themselves oriented while tracking their air supply and planning their safe exit,” said Brett Twomey, chief of training and safety for CKFR.

CKFR would like to thank the County Parks Department for allowing access to building. Kitsap County Commissioner Ed Wolfe will be coming by to observe the exercise at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 6.