Noting the wide availability of gathering spaces in the community as well as an increasing need to use the room ourselves, NKF&R’s Board of Fire Commissioners has decided to cease renting our headquarters station meeting room to the public.

Kingston’s spacious Village Green Community Center has multiple rooms; it was specifically designed to be the hub for community activities. There are also several community centers and homeowners’ associations with spaces available.

Furthermore, our meeting room is now much smaller.

We have converted a portion of the meeting room into needed everyday workspace for duty crews. During large incidents, storms or disasters, this space also serves as a command center. The remaining small meeting room is usually in use for firefighter training, classes and staff meetings.

Despite this change, the public is always welcome to visit the station for blood pressure checks, burn permits, twice-monthly Board of Fire Commissioners meetings, monthly CPR classes, station tours, or just to say hello!

We are hosting a CPR and AED training at our headquarters station near Kingston at 6 p.m. on March 14. Tuition is $20 per student, and reservations are required. Call 360-297-3619 to sign-up.

— Michele Laboda is spokeswoman for North Kitsap Fire &Rescue. Contact her at laboda@nkfr.org.