The Juvenile Fire Setter Intervention Program is a statewide standardized program to provide prevention education/intervention and referrals if warranted for the children and families of Illinois to reduce the frequency and severity of fires set by juveniles. Partnering with the fire service, this program provides a coordinated referral center for the assessment and treatment of juvenile fire setters and their families, thereby slowing down the often devastating results of fire setting. Prevention education can quell the youth fire problem, but only when properly targeted, designed, and delivered. The behaviors causing the problem must be considered because what motivates their behavior is the surest clue to solving the youth fire setting problem.

Juvenile Fire Setter Interventionists are Illinois state certified by the Office of the State Fire Marshal through the IFSA Juvenile Fire Setter Intervention Program. Interventionists are trained in accordance to the National Fire Protection Association 1035 Standards regarding juvenile fire setting. Interventionists work confidentially with communities to provide juvenile fire setters and their families fire safety education and prevention.

One of the greatest things about being the JFSIP Team Leader is meeting and talking to Interventionists throughout the state. Since 2009 I have had the pleasure of participating in over 15 Certification, Refresher, and Instructor Courses. I have had the honor of meeting over 300 participants from 178 different departments and organizations.

I frequently hear from interventionists, be it via telephone, email or social media. Many are requesting case numbers, questions on building local programs or on a specific case, and case updates. I even get an occasional phone call just checking in and confirming support for the JFSIP. The dedication of the interventionists in Illinois is to be commended.

Currently there is a push in the industry for a national database of juvenile fire setters. There is a lot of debating over who will own the database, how to collect data, what data to collect, and on and on. The IFSA is ahead of the curve here, as Illinois is one of the only states that currently has a state-wide database. The JFSIP will continue to keep up to date with the NFPA standards with any changes.

The JFSIP Helpline is available to anyone looking for assistance. State Attorney’s, parents, teachers and social workers have called the Helpline looking for information on the JFSIP and/or for an interventionist in their area. I recently received a call from a parent whose young son had been setting fires. She went to her local fire department for help. Unfortunately, they did not have an interventionist at their department. They did however have the information on the JFSIP and when she called I was able to find an interventionist in a neighboring department. Are you prepared for the parent that calls out for help? Juvenile fire setting occurs in all communities. Does your department have a certified interventionist?

My parting words at every class are from Field of Dreams, "If you build it they will come." Within a week of almost every class I receive a phone call from a newly certified interventionist. They all start the same way, with almost identical words, "I can't believe it. We haven't had any juvenile set fires in years. Now I take the course and we have one."

Please contact the IFSA office or JFSIP Helpline to obtain a case number or to locate an interventionist if needed.

Juvenile Fire Setting Statistics in Illinois (January 1-June 30, 2011)

• 88 reported incidents
• 60% completed the program
• 2 out of 3 admitted having previously set fires
• Over $340,400 in reported damages

PROGRAM UPDATE ARCHIVES

To identify the fire setting behavior of juveniles involved in the unsanctioned/ unsupervised use of fire, determine the motivation for the fire setting behavior, and provide prevention education/intervention and referrals if warranted for these children and their families.

The overall goal of the IFSA Juvenile Fire Setter Intervention Program is to reduce the frequency and severity of the tragedy and trauma caused by child and youth fire related activities.

To assist this goal there are four core objectives.

1. To research, develop, implement and coordinate a Juvenile Fire Setter Intervention Program in Illinois.
2. To provide a structured program to assist fire fighters and other agencies who encounter a child engaged in unsafe fire related activities.
3. To provide support to families and individuals who are affected by a child in their care playing with fire in the form of information, advice, educational resources and referral of other agencies that may also assist.
4. Increase community awareness, prevention education and confidence in regards to juvenile fires setting issues.