Firefighters with Redmond Fire & Rescue hoses down a former Redmond School District building that was set on fire during a controlled burn to learn training event on Nov. 22 in Redmond.

Redmond Fire & Rescue set fire to a former Redmond School District building at 726 SW 23rd Street during a controlled “Burn to Learn” training event on Nov. 22 with the Black Butte Ranch Fire Department.

The fire departments got in their reps on non-destructive skills prior to the event, then started with smaller fires set inside the building. The event finished with complete obliteration of the former Redmond Learning Center and Day Care Center.

According to Tom Mooney, fire marshal for Redmond Fire & Rescue, the event allows crews to train in a controlled environment, without many of the dangers present during a live emergency. It is also can be financially beneficial to the building’s owners.

“A lot of the time it’s cheaper than (demolition),” Mooney said.

Mooney said it lets crews run through the first steps necessary when arriving on scene — making sure everyone is out of the structure and then pinpointing the location of the fire. The incident commander gives out assignments and manages the different resources that are coming in.

“Their first priority is life saving,” Mooney said.

Crews scope out the structure and try to determine whether the fire started outside and is moving in or vice-versa, then pull hose lines to where they can reach the blaze.

The event, which saw dozens of firefighters participate, was the grand finale of training for four new recruits who will soon work shifts for the department.

By the end of December, Redmond Fire & Rescue will add nine new firefighters to their team as they try to keep up with with Redmond’s dramatic population growth. To meet the national standard, they will still have to hire 30 more firefighters over the next five to six years.

Additionally, Mooney emphasized being mindful of fire around the holidays — one of the most common times for structure fires. He said to follow instructions when deep-frying turkeys for Thanksgiving and to water Christmas trees every day.