Juvenile Firesetting Intervention

Families:	Intervention Programs:
List of MA Programs and Resources	List of MA Programs and Resources
Prevent Fires Due to Children Playing with Lighters and Matches	Quick Reference Guide for Fire and Explosive Laws  file size 1MB
Parents Guide to Internet Safety	Mass. Juvenile Court Clinics Summary
Schools:	Definitions of Clinical Diagnosis
School Fire Reporting Law
Bomb Threat Checklist: MA State Police Checklist
Mental Health Resources:
Psychoactive Booklet
Psychoactive Booklet - Spanish
Medication Manual for Consumers and Families
Medication Manual for Consumers and Families - Spanish

Statewide List of Mobile Crisis Teams

• The Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership, www.masspartnership.com keeps a current list of Emergency Service Providers (ESP)
• Click here for the Emergency Service Providers (ESP)

Juvenile Court System

National Center for State Courts

Department of Children and Family Services
(formerly the Department of Social Services)

Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency

National Criminal Justice Reference Service

Article on Juvenile Firesetting Trends

Bureau of Justice Statistics

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Article on Juvenile Arson - (FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin April 2005)

* Article on international presenters at a National Association of State Fire Marshals conference on juvenile firesetting

• *Posted on the Oregon State Police - Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal, Hot Issues website .

"Children Playing With Fire" research article on the NFPA website as follows:

• Go to: www.nfpa.org then Quick Links >> Fact Sheets & Safety Tips >> Children and fire >> Reports and statistics

Arson Clearance Rates Statistics

• Article from Fire Engineering
  • Bomb Activity and Juvenile Firesetters
• CBS News footage
  • Juveniles Detonating Bombs
• ATF U.S. Bomb Center
  • Contact Information to acquire current statistics
• Links to the 2008 Uniform Crime Report, published by the FBI
  • Percentage of arson cleared involving juveniles
  • Arson offenses cleared by arrest

Juvenile Firesetter Intervention Training: 

JFIS I  teaches students to conduct an interview with firesetters and their families and provides an overview on the issue of juvenile firesetting, who these children are, and effective intervention strategies. Based on the NFPA 1035 Standard - Juvenile Firesetting Intervention Specialist I.

JFIS II  develops skills in interviewing and assessment of juvenile firesetters, program development, implementation and evaluation. It covers identification and intake, coalition building support and management, budget and funding, keeping a database, and program evaluation. Based on the NFPA 1035 Standard - Juvenile Firesetting Intervention Specialist II.

The 7th annual Northeast Juvenile Firesetting Conference will be held on May 9, 2013. For registration or schedule May 9, 2013- 7th Annual Northeast Juvenile Firesetting Conference, information http://www.brandonschool.org/pathways/

Children Playing With Fire

Each year, many fires are started by children ages 3-7 who are merely curious about fire. From 2007 through 2011, there were 801 juvenile-set fires reported in Massachusetts. These fires caused four civilian deaths, 45 civilian injuries and 34 firefighter injuries and an estimated dollar loss of $9.2 million. Over half, 54%, of these fires were started by children playing with matches and lighters.

Juvenile firesetting intervention programs tell us that this number is far below the real number of fires set by juveniles. Children tell us that they set many "small" or other fires before the fire that brings them to the attention of authorities.

Whether a child is merely curious about fire, making a cry for help or engaging in delinquent behavior, it is extremely dangerous for children to play with fire. Children who play with fire can be helped, but they must receive the right kind of help. It is not a phase that they will grow out of, it is not a matter of boys being boys or yelling at them or burning their fingers or other such methods. The reason a child plays with fire must be addressed. Each child must be evaluated and given the correct intervention treatment program. Treatment programs vary, typically containing one or more of the following components: education, psychological treatment or community service.

Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect in Massachusetts

Fire Fighters and Police officers are mandated reporters of child abuse and neglect by statute ( Massachusetts General Law CH 119-section 51A). Often times, in the performance of their duties they are called on to suppress or investigate fires that involve children who have been victimized by these fires. On some occasions, these children have caused the fires. If as a mandated reporter, you have questions about what constitutes abuse or neglect of children or your responsibilities as a mandated reporter-please go to the Department of Social Services Website.

To report possible child abuse or neglect in Massachusetts, you must first file an oral report by calling the Child-at-Risk Hotline at 1-800-792-5200 to notify the appropriate area office of the Department of Social Services(DSS). Even if you complete the 51A Report Form, you must also first phone DSS directly or the Child-at-Risk Hotline. For information on how to report child abuse and neglect outside of Massachusetts, please call the National Child Abuse Hotline, 1-800-4-A-CHILD.

• 51 A Online Mandated Reporter Training