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PROGRAM UPDATE - May 2011 IFSA Newsletter Being one of the only states that offer certification, Illinois continues to be a leader in juvenile fire setting by having a statewide program of education and referral service, a network for interventionists and a data collection system related to juvenile set fires. When the IFSA took on the task of the JFSIP in conjunction with the OFSM, the uniqueness of the program came to light. Some states have programs through their respective fire marshal’s or through burn units at hospitals. Some states have programs run through counties or individual departments. Illinois is one of a select few states that collects data regarding juvenile set fires. In 2009-2010 there were a total of 239 reported juvenile set fires in Illinois. The number of juvenile set fires reported continues to rise as the JFSIP gains more recognition and overall program awareness. As we look at statistics we are aware that they represent only a small portion of the actual incidents.
Over the past year I have had the pleasure of attending conferences on juvenile fire setting and meeting people throughout the country involved with local programs. It is always a wonderful experience meeting people whose dedication and goals are so similar to your own. It has been a wonderful networking and learning experience. I enjoy being able to learn about other programs and bringing information back to our state. Last year at a conference I was in a brain-storming session and the topic of a forum for Interventionists came up. The IFSA had considered starting a forum, but didn’t currently have the resources to get it up and running. Scott Maker from E.S.C.A.P.E. had the same idea. Luckily Scott had the resources to get started. Fire-exchange.org was created. It is a secure site for interventionists to ask questions and share ideas where registration is needed. I encourage all interventionists to sign up and join the forum. In the future we hope to have a section on the site that is exclusive to Illinois. The Illinois Fire Safety Alliance Juvenile Fire Setter Intervention Program is the only course that is eligible for certification through the OFSM. Two day certification courses are available to anyone who would like to become an interventionist. One day courses are available to anyone who has taken a course in the past in need of certification. Course dates and locations can be found up above.
PROGRAM UPDATE - January 2011 IFSA Newsletter The latest nationwide statistics for juvenile fire setting are from 2007. When the IFSA took on the JFSIP the lack of current statistics for Illinois was apparent. With the creation of the Juvenile Fire Setting Reporting System Form we began to collect statistics for Illinois earnestly in 2009. As the JFSIP continues to gain recognition throughout the state it is anticipated that more juvenile fire setting incidents will be reported. As the number of reported juvenile fire setting incidents increases the statistics will provide an increasingly better picture of the fire setting problem. All juvenile fire setting incidents should be reported to the IFSA regardless of intervention. If you know of a juvenile in need of an intervention, contact the IFSA and an interventionist in your area will be located for you. While not all the information for 2010 has been reported, we have begun the process of collecting and organizing statistics. In 2010 the number of reported incidents increased to 134, up 29 from 2009. 42 interventionists have actively reported juvenile set fires out of over 300 who are state certified. Reporting juvenile set fires is a work in progress. The statistics come from the interventions completed, not all 134 reported cases reported have received or will receive intervention.
The JFSIP has been holding certification, refresher and instructor courses, 14 courses in all, an average of one course every 5 weeks since the first course held in Frankfort in May 2009. Courses have been held throughout the state from Marengo to Belleville. Obtaining a dedicated instructor pool remains a stumbling block to offering courses more frequently. If you are interested in being an instructor for the JFSIP, please contact the IFSA for more information. Nearly 40 departments have offered to host a course. Courses will continue to be scheduled throughout the state as frequently as possible. On April 12 we will be having a one day mini-conference for state certified interventionists in Galena. I encourage anyone who is certified to attend, and to stay for the Illinois Fire Inspectors Association Fire & Life Safety Education Conference in the days following. Please visit the JFSIP page of the IFSA website for more information.
PROGRAM UPDATE - May 2009 IFSA Newsletter The Juvenile Fire Setter Intervention Program (JFSIP) Team has been working on contacting all interventionists in Illinois. This has been an arduous task, which is nearly complete. We want to be sure to include all interventionists as we roll out the updated program. Recently an email was sent to all interventionists we have made contact with. If you are an interventionist and have not received any contact from the JFSIP team, please contact the IFSA office. The IFSA has received feedback from many interventionists regarding the need for standardized forms and information throughout Illinois. The IFSA has created a reporting system in order to obtain juvenile fire setter statistics. The Juvenile Fire Setter Reporting System form will provide information regarding the circumstances involved in the juvenile fire setting incidents. In order to ensure accurate statistical data, as well as determining recidivism rates and the success of the JFSIP, we need every intervention completed in the state of Illinois to be entered into the system. The reporting form is available through the office and online at www.ifsa.org. We are asking that interventionists contact the IFSA office to obtain a case number upon identification of a juvenile fire setter. To date there are 176 identified state certified interventionists in 30 counties. Currently over 60 people are on the wait-list for the certification course with 7 departments willing to host. There are also numerous interventionists that are interested in being instructors or in attending a refresher course. The updated JFSIP curriculum is now in the final stages of completion. We are looking forward to holding our first Train-The-Trainer class May 29-30 at the Frankfort Fire Protection District. In an effort to provide a standardized program throughout Illinois, the IFSA will be providing current state-certified interventionists with the updated curriculum as well as forms and resources. Current interventionists will be able to attend a refresher course and new interventionist classes will be available starting in July. Anyone interested in attending classes, now or in the future, can complete the sign-up form available online and in the newsletter. In addition to working on the curriculum updates the JFSIP team has been attending various meetings throughout the state providing not only updates on the JFSIP but all programs available through the IFSA. The JFSIP team went to MABAS meetings in Charleston and McHenry, presented at the Inspectors Strike Force, and spoke at the Illinois Fire Inspector’s Public Education Conference in Galena. We are looking forward to speaking at the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association Symposium this month. Brochures highlighting the JFSIP and the juvenile fire setting problem are in the final stages. There will be two brochures available. The first brochure provides detailed information about the JFSIP and the characteristics of juvenile fire setters. The second brochure is designed for parents as an informational brochure on the scope and severity of the juvenile fire setting problem as well as the signs of fire setting. This brochure encourages parents to seek early intervention and provides a space for fire departments to add their contact information. Both brochures will be available through the IFSA. The IFSA website is quickly becoming a resource for interventionists. The JFSIP section of the website is a work in progress. Currently the Reporting System form, class schedule and sign-up, and JFSIP updates are available. The JFSIP team is committed to providing ample, up to date resources. As information is added to the website, your suggestions are welcome. Email jfsi@ifsa.org with any content suggestions. The Juvenile Fire Setter Intervention Program is your program; let’s make it a program that Illinois can be proud of.
We are proud to announce that the Juvenile Fire Setter Intervention Program has scheduled the first Train-the-Trainer course on May 29-30. The Frankfort Fire Protection District has graciously offered to host. Optional re-certification and new certification courses will start in July, dates and location pending. The IFSA is proud to offer the Train-the Trainer course for no charge. Accommodations and meals are the attendees’ responsibility. If you are interested in attending, complete the sign up form to receive an application. If you have already notified us of your interest in attending, there is no need to complete the sign up form. Add jfsi@ifsa.org to you address book to ensure delivery. Course size is limited; get your information in early to guarantee your spot. Thank you for your continued interest in the Juvenile Fire Setter Intervention Program.
Juvenile Fire Setter Interventionist, The Illinois Fire Safety Alliance (IFSA) has heard from many interventionists. A frequent suggestion was standardized forms are needed. As the Juvenile Fire Setter Intervention Program (JFSIP) Team moves forward re-launching this much needed program, we have begun the standardization process. The JFSIP Team is asking that all interventions be reported utilizing the new Juvenile Fire Setting Reporting System form. This updated form will allow for gathering statistics regarding juvenile fire setters, recidivism rates, and the effectiveness of the JFSIP. The completed form may be emailed to jfsi@ifsa.org, faxed to 847-390-0920 or mailed to PO Box 911, Mount Prospect, IL 60056. If you have not done so, please contact the IFSA office at 847-390-0911, 800-634-0911, or the JFSIP Helpline at 847-400-4864 to obtain a case number for current, past (2009) and future interventions. As more resources become available updates to this website will continue to be made. If you have any suggestions for what you would like to see on the website, please let us know. If you are a JFSIP instructor, we will be holding train-the-trainer classes in May. Contact the IFSA office at 847-390-0911 or jfsi@ifsa.org if you would like to attend the class. If you are currently an interventionist who would like a refresher course or know someone who would like to be an interventionist, contact the IFSA office to be added to the wait-list. We are looking forward to offering classes in the near future. Thank you for your continued support in this program, Laura Barros
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