Belmont San Carlos Fire Dept - Juvenile Firesetter Program

Belmont - San Carlos Fire Department

Juvenile Firesetter Program

In 2002, the Fire Prevention Bureau designed a program to deal with a fast growing trend of juvenile fire setting or fire play. This program continues to be administered by the Fire Prevention Bureau.

The juvenile firesetters can be identified by a number of people:

- Firefighters who he/she has came in contact with

- Parents/Family members

- Police Department

- School Officials

- Social Workers

- Friends

It has been found that there are four types of fire setters in this area:

- Curious

- Troubled

- Delinquent

- Severly Disturbed

CURIOUS

- The majority of these types are between 2 and 9 years of age.

- It is normal for them to have curiosity with matches or fire in general but they must be taught proper use of fire and how destructive a force it can be.
- It is normal for them to have curiosity with matches or fire in general but they must be taught proper use of fire and how destructive a force it can be.

- It is normal for them to have curiosity with matches or fire in general but they must be taught proper use of fire and how destructive a force it can be.

TROUBLED

- Generally a child from 2 to teenage years which are crying out for help.

- Some signs to watch for would be: plays alone, inability to form close relationships, shyness, impulsive fighting with siblings or peers, extreme mood swings, bedwetting, stuttering hyperactivity, aggressive behavior.

- Some of these children express anger by hurting themselves or destroying their own toys.

- A large majority of these children have problems at school.

- This could be a response to abuse or neglect.

- They rarely come from a happy home situation.

- Setting fires is a way to act out their anger.

Delinquent

- Usually in their early teens with a history of suspicious fires.

- Usually an act of vandalism for pure enjoyment or destroying property.

- Targets for their arsons are usually abandoned buildings, open fields or schools.

- Fires can be large, premeditated and sophisticated.

- Experts say that these delinquent fire setters have a history of lying, stealing, truancy, and possible substance abuse.

- Usually an act of vandalism for pure enjoyment or destroying property.

- Targets for their arsons are usually abandoned buildings, open fields or schools.

- Fires can be large, premeditated and sophisticated.

- Experts say that these delinquent fire setters have a history of lying, stealing, truancy, and possible substance abuse.

Severely Disturbed

- Very small percentage of fire setters.
- All ages are represented but all have behavior problems.
- Most of the severely disturbed fire setters are in mental or correctional institutions.

- Their treatment process is complicated, lengthy, and expensive with no easy solutions.

- All ages are represented but all have behavior problems.

- Most of the severely disturbed fire setters are in mental or correctional institutions.

- Their treatment process is complicated, lengthy, and expensive with no easy solutions.

The program consists of a meeting with the Juvenile and his/her parents. The meeting generally takes place in the Fire Prevention Office, after the parents have been advised of the parameters of the program. The juvenile receives approximately one hour of interviewing and instruction with regards to Fire Safety and the dangers that are involved with setting fires. After the interview, depending on the age of the fire setter an assignment is given for him/her to write an essay relevant to his or her situation.

If you are Interested in gettting additional information or would like further guideance on our firesetters program contact the Fire Prevention Bureau at the Belmont-San Carlos Fire Department's main administrative offices.