INFORMATION ON LYNN'S JUVENILE FIRESETTER INTERVENTION PROGRAM

BACKGROUND

The problem of juvenile firesetting is gaining increasing attention. Children under the age of 17 account for a startling number of fires in our area and all too often are the victims of the fires they set. Firesetting behavior is progressive and left untreated has an 81% probability of being repeated. Lynn's program is managed by a multi-agency task force of which includes the following agencies: Lynn Fire, Department of Social Services (Lynn), Lynn Police, Essex County Juvenile Probation (Lynn), Essex County Juvenile Diversion (Lynn), Lynn School Dept., Tri-City Mental Health, Department of Mental Health, Lynn Community Health Center, Lynn Housing Authority and other local mental health professionals. Our goals are: to identify, assess and intervene with children who start, play with or witness firesetting at the earliest stages. Firesetting is a complex series of different behaviors and this is the reason no one agency can tackle the problem by itself.

 REFERRALS

Firesetting in young children often occurs in the home, so parents are often the first to notice evidence of fire play, such as burnt matches, scorched materials or the smell of smoke. These warning signs should be reported to your local Fire Dept. immediately. If you reside in Lynn, the Arson Squad should be notified immediately at 781-599-0232. If the fire occurs in school the teacher and/or principal should be notified immediately and they will make the referral to us. Some children attend our school on a voluntary basis and others are mandated to attend from the referring agencies such as the school department, local courts and DSS. If appropriate some children are charged for the offense. This is done not to hurt the child but to get him help. Some parents are reluctant to get their children help unless forced to. For many of these children who are charged, once they complete the requirements of our program their offense is removed from their record.

INTERVENTION FOR CURIOUS FIRESETTERS

Curious firesetters are most often young children under the age of 10 (mostly boys) who set impulsive fires using ordinary combustibles and matches/lighters left within easy reach. These children need a safe and constructive way to learn about fire and to satisfy their very healthy curiosity. These children are given a fire safety education course and helpful advice to the parents on how to keep their home safe. At the conclusion of this program the child should be able to complete a knowledge and behavior test.

INTERVENTION FOR CRISIS FIRESETTERS

Crisis firesetters use fires to call attention to problems they are struggling with, such as recent changes in their families, school problems, a crisis or a trauma. They set highly symbolic fires that point to the source of their stress. These children need both education and counseling. If your child needs it, they will be referred to a mental health professional from our task force for an in depth assessment to decide the appropriate course of treatment. Children whose behavior is found to be higher risk may require more intensive treatment in an inpatient center.

INTERVENTION FOR DELINQUENT FIRESTTERS

Older children and those adolescents who set vandalism type fires in groups or individually fall into the category of delinquent firesetters. These children lack responsible decision making skills and are unconcerned with about the potentially devastating impact of their actions on other people. The intervention for this type of fire is education and community service. If needed counseling will be referred for any emotional, behavioral or substance abuse problems that may be contributing to the firesetting.

DID YOU KNOW THAT?

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR WANT TO REFER YOUR CHILD TO OUR PROGRAM PLEASE CONTACT THE FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU OR THE ARSON SQUAD.