NCJ Number
88486
Date Published
Unknown
Length
0 pages
Annotation
Fire departments need specific information on how to interview suspected child fire-setters to determine whether they actually set a fire, their motivations for doing so, and appropriate intervention methods.
Abstract
Juvenile fire-setting is not necessarily arson. Community-based approaches are needed to deal with child fire-setters, since 40 to 70 percent of all fires are set by children. Statistics show that the average age of child fire-setters ranges from 5 to 9 years or 5 to 12 years, depending upon the community. Even a very young child can set devastating fires, although such a child is not deliberately malicious. The typical child fire-setter is male, is from a one-parent home and probably has experienced a family crisis. Often he has not had his psychological needs met at some critical developmental stage. Older child fire-setters cannot maintain peer relationships or relationships with other children. They are often cruel to animals and tend to run away from home. Many are abused or neglected. A manual has been developed which explains to fire department personnel how to interview the child and parents. A series of questions are asked and the anwers are given a numerical rating. The total numerical rating yields a profile which will show what type of intervention is needed: fire safety education, counseling, etc. 'Fire-setter programs,' programs designed to help child fire-setters, have been implemented throughout the Nation. These involve a coordinated effort by fire departments, child welfare agencies and other social services. The program developed by the Los Angeles Fire Department, for example, has caused a drop in fire setting by children of 88 percent.