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Juvenile Firesetter Program |
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Essex County Juvenile Fire Setters Intervention Program Organizational Chart 2008 County Program Coordinator: Capt. Tom Pizzano, Millburn Fire Department Statistics/Therapeutic Referrals: Lisa Jones, St. Barnabas Burn Center Education: Capt. Tom McNulty and Lt. Kevin Hayes Information Technology: William Smith, Fire Marshal Township of Fairfield Financial Coordinator: Capt. Tom Pizzano, Millburn Fire Department
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The Essex County Fire Prevention and Protection Association is committed preventing fires, As a result, the Essex County Fire Prevention and Protection Association has a Juvenile Firesetter Intervention and Counseling program set up with the Essex County Fire Chief’s, Essex County Fire Prevention Association, Essex County Prosecutors Office and St. Barnadas Medical Center , to counsel local children in the dangers of playing with fire. Do you find your child playing with matches or lighters? Have you tried everything you know to stop this behavior, but nothing seems to work? Don't know what to do ... afraid of what might happen if this fire play activity continues? Curiosity about fire can be a natural, but dangerous thing. If fire play activity seems to be a common occurrence with your child, it is not normal, and help is needed to find out why this is happening. Fire play activity can be deadly ... don't be afraid to ask for help. Essex County Fire Prevention and Protection Association Juvenile Firesetters Intervention Program, may be able to help curb this undesirable behavior. Of course, there is no charge for the service and all information is kept strictly confidential. The role of the Juvenile Firesetter Intervention program is to educate and prevent firesetting behavior from continuing. This program was created because of the growing number of juveniles starting and playing with fire. The Juvenile Firesetters program is a collaborate effort between the Essex County Fire Chief’s, Essex County Fire Prevention Association and Essex County Prosecutors Office Investigation Unit, fire suppression personnel, the Fire Prevention Bureau, Essex County Juvenile Court. The troubled or curious fire setter can be referred to the program from any of these agencies. Referral to the program can also come from concerned parents. Interviews are conducted by trained fire personnel to determine whether the fire setting behavior was accidental, curiosity or symptomatic of deeper problems. Educational intervention is utilized for the accidental and curious fire setter. When fire setting behavior is determined to be indicative of more serious problems, referral to specialized social services or mental health agencies will be recommended. This program is designed to educate the juvenile fire setter in fire safety through the performance of various tasks. This intervention is designed to have the parent(s) assist the child and keep track of his/her progress. It is the intention of this program to teach the child the dangers of fire and ways of making his/her family fire safe. The Juvenile Firesetters program is a multi-level approach to the education and/or treatment of identified juveniles involved in fire setting behaviors. The program has been designed for preschool ages through teens. Participation is voluntary except for those referred by the Juvenile Court authorities. The program normally takes six weeks to complete — one evening each week. Anyone who knows a child that could benefit from the fire setter program may call the Fairfield Fire Prevention Bureau at 973-882-2735. The life you save may be that of a child. For more information on the program contact William Smith at 973-882-2735. Types of Juvenile Firesetters The Curious Firesetter: This child is curious about fire and plays with it in order to learn about it. The curious child needs fire prevention education and supervision to channel his/her interests to safer, non-ignition fire activities. The Delinquent Firesetter: The delinquent fire setter is responding to peer pressure and acting without thinking about the consequences of his/her actions. He/she needs to take responsibility for his/her actions with fire prevention education and community service that is court mandated. The Crisis Firesetter: This child sends a "cry for help" with his or her fire setting, because they are unable to cope with some trauma or stress. The crisis fire setter needs supportive fire prevention education and counseling to help him/her learn safer ways to cope with problems. The Pathological Firesetter: This emotionally disturbed child uses the power of fire to compensate for feelings of helplessness. This child needs intensive treatment in a secure hospital or residential program. Steps to Prevent Firesetting These five steps can prevent most fire setting: * Teach very young children that fire is a tool we use to cook food or heat the home. It is not magic but it is dangerous and only for adults to use carefully (use the example for driving a car or using power tools). * Keep all matches and lighters out of the reach of very young children. Even a two-year-old can easily work a cigarette lighter! * Praise or reward children when they bring matches to you. * Explain why it is important to use matches only when needed and with an adult present. If an older child is curious about matches, show him the proper and safe way to use them. * Examples must be set. Always be careful with matches and fire. Keep your home safe and let your children help you. Firesetting: Facts or Myths? Myth: "It's normal for children to play with fire." Fact: While curiosity about fire is common, fire play or setting is not, and it can be deadly. Myth: "It's a phase that he will grow out of." Fact: It is not a phase and you must deal with it immediately or it will continue. Myth: "If you burn his hand, he will stop." Fact: If you burn your child, he will be scarred, that's all. You must address the real reason for the fire before the child will stop. Myth: "If the fires are small, it is no big deal." Fact: All fires start out as small fires. Anytime a child sets a fire, he is endangering himself and the around him. That's a big deal. Myth: "Firesetting is pyromania." Fact: Pyromania is a disorder. Firesetting is not. It is a behavior that can have many causes and can be stopped.
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