Juvenile Firesetters Program

The Brattleboro Fire Department has initiated a Juvenile Firesetters Intervention Program (JFIP). The goal of the JFIP is to define and change fire setting behavior of youth throughout the Brattleboro area. The JFIP creates an identification/referral/educational process for local youth identified as juvenile firesetters. Nationwide more than 28,000 residential fires occur annually due to child fire play. Sadly, nearly 1,000 of those children die in the fire that they started. Although curiosity is a normal part of a child's growth and development, curiosity about fire should be taken very seriously.

Categories for juvenile firesetters:

Curious Firesetters: Children up to age ten. These juveniles accidentally set fires while playing with matches and lighters. These very young children who start fires have no intent to destroy and are usually not bent on destruction, but rather are simply curious or fascinated by the flames.

Problem Ridden Firesetters: This is the largest percentage of firesetters and is often described as a cry for help.

Delinquent Firesetters: make up approximately 14% of fires set by juveniles. These are juveniles acting out against authority and are usually older males ages 10 to 17.

Mentally disturbed firesetters: These are extreme cases and are relatively rare.

The JFIP is available to any youth, up to the age of 17. Referrals to the JFIP may be made by parents, caregivers, friends and relatives of the individual youth.

How does our program work?

Interviews will be conducted to determine whether the firesetting behavior was accidental, curiosity or symptomatic of deeper problems. Educational intervention will be utilized for the accidental and curiosity firesetter. When firesetting behavior is determined to be indicative of more serious problems, educational intervention and referral to specialized Social Services agencies will be recommended. The Brattleboro Fire Department Juvenile Firesetter Program is a multi-level approach to the education and/or treatment of identified juvenile involved in firesetting behavior. The program is adaptable for preschool ages through teens. Participation is voluntary except for those referred by the Juvenile authorities. The program consists of five parts, each phase has a unique role in the process, yet all are interconnected. The five parts are; identification, education, assessment, referral and follow-up. Parents or legal Guardians are required to participate in the program.

Members of the Brattleboro Fire Department who have been trained as Juvenile Firesetter Intervention Specialists currently administer the educational phase of the JFIP. Risk surveys are completed with the juvenile involved in the fire and the parent/caregiver of the juvenile. Education is based upon results of the risk surveys. Classes of fire setting. Parents and caregivers of the individual youth also receive education on identifying and preventing fire setting behavior.

Children and Fire

Children are fascinated by fire; the warm glow of a fireplace, flames flickering in a camp fire, blowing out birthday candles, watching the repetitive habit of an adult lighting up a cigarette. Children as young as 2 years may show an interest in fire. With this natural fascination and curiosity comes the task for parents/caregivers to take fire safety precautions with younger children and to educate and train older children in fire safety.

Whether a child is merely curious about fire, making a cry for help or engaging in delinquent behavior, children playing with fire is extremely dangerous. Children can be helped. They must receive the right kind of help though. It is not a phase that they will grow out of; it is not a matter of boys being boys. Yelling at them, burning their fingers or other such methods will not be effective. The reason a child plays with fire must be addressed in order to successfully address the problem. Each child must be individually assessed and receive a treatment program that may contain one or more of the following components: educational, psychological, and community service.

What is Fireplay?

Fireplay happens when a child, curious and unsupervised, plays with matches, lighters, an open flame or a hot stove. This playing accidentally starts a fire that may result in death injury and/or property damage. The most common circumstances that lead children to play with fire include:

Matches, lighters or open flames within easy reach
Lack of parental or adult supervision
Natural curiosity about fire and a desire to experiment
Boredom and searching for something to play with
Previous fire play activity (the fire was easily extinguished and not discovered by an adult)

Most children who get involved in fire play can be successfully taught by parents or caregivers to channel their fire interest to competent fire safety behaviors and avoid this extremely dangerous behavior.

When to Seek Help

If your child has "played" with fire on more than one occasion or has deliberately started a fire, or if you are unsure about educating your child about fire safety, you should seek help through the Brattleboro Fire Department, We have trained personnel who can help the curious child to understand that playing with fire is very dangerous. Deliberate firesetting is a serious matter. Children who have deliberately started a fire may be indirectly indicating that they are having problems.

Who to Contact

For more information on the Juvenile Firesetter Intervention Programs offered by the Brattleboro fire department, or to become involved in the program, please contact our Juvenile Fire Setter Intervention Specialists: Lieutenant Martin Rancourt or Firefighter Joe Newton at 254 - 4831.