Bristol County Fire Chiefs Association

Massachusetts 1997 - 2006 Juvenile Set Fires

2006 Massachusetts Juvenile Set Fires 210 Reported Fires 7 Civilian Injuries 5 Fire Service Injuries $956,295 Property Losses 17% Increase from 2005 Statistics are Misleading Emphasize Reported Cilvilians time out of work Expense to already strapped budgets Insurance replaces property, money does not replace the emotional devastation. 30 more fires from 2005 Note 2002 spike because of Version 5 allowing JFS to be coded To many JFS go unreported for many reason, None which stop the behavior

2006 Massachusetts Juvenile Set Fire Types 76 Structures Fires 102 Brush, Tree & Grass Fires 10 Special Outside Fires 9 Outside Rubbish Fires 3 Motor Vehicles 10 Not Classified

2006 Massachusetts Juvenile Set Structure Fire Locations 25% One & Two Family Homes 25% Multifamily Dwellings 35% Bedrooms 11% Bathrooms 5% Kitchens or Garages 11% High Schools & Middle Schools These are the Stats We All realize the problem What can we do about it

How We Got Here November 2007 Approach Chief Ron Scott – Mattapoisett Deputy Chief David Messier - Somerset Dave Wood – Fire Investigator Fall River Eddie Freitas Public Fire Educator Fairhaven Lt. Bill Baraby Fire Investigator Westport Approach Get it Up and Running

Development SFMO Existing Programs Juvenile Justice Mental Health Sgt. Paul Zipper Juvenile Justice Bristol County ADA Mental Health Community Counseling Bold Program Star Mental Health Stevens Home Corrigan Mental Health Existing Programs Norfolk County Middlesex County Phoenix, AZ Fire Texas Department of Insurance Oregon SFMO NE Juvenile Task Force Burn Institute Fire Watch Fire Smart Kids Sgt. Zipper looked at State Plan Leslie Lahey & Diane Bunk Steve Adams Karen Fisher Robyn Putney Gail Curran Dan Feeney Robyn Pontremonli Texas Deborah Johnson Judy Okulitch Sub Group from Stakeholders Dr. Ken Fineman John Egan Direction

Communities Served Acushnet Attleboro Berkley Dartmouth Dighton Easton Fairhaven Fall River Freetown Mansfield Mattapoisett New Bedford North Attleboro Norton Raynham Rehoboth Seekonk Somerset Swansea Taunton Westport Any Other Communities

Audience & Considerations Juveniles 3 – 17 Started a Fire or Show Interest in Fire Court Ordered as Part of a Diversion Program Concerned Parents Identify the Motive Provide Education/Awareness Report Findings Evaluate Program

South Coast Juvenile Fire Awareness Initiative A Collaborative Effort by a Concerned Community

Mission TO PROVIDE A MULTIDISIPLINARY AND COMMUNITY BASED PARTNERSHIP WITH PARENTS, SCHOOLS, POLICE, FIRE, JUVINILE JUSTICE, MENTAL HEALTH, AND SOCIAL SERVICES, WHO INTERACT TOGETHER, TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF FIRE INJURIES AND DEATHS BY PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO THE CHILDREN & ADOLESCENTS WHO EXHIBIT FIRESETTING AND FIREPLAY BEHAVIOR.

Multidisciplinary Agreements Memorandum of Understanding Between Agencies & SCJFAI Establish Protocols Provide Assistance Educators Resources Provide Awareness Local Public Service Announcements Public Appearances Between Families & SCJFAI Contract to Participate Protocols on how agencies & SCJFAI will participate (City or Town to work with us.)

GOALS Identify juvenile firesetters Assess the juvenile firesetter needs Define the Motivation Provide life skills training and education Provide referrals to family counseling Evaluate firesetter and program progress JFS Handbook 2002

Identify juvenile firesetters Referrals Concerned Parents Caregivers Schools Law Enforcement Mental Health Social Services Community Youth Groups. Investigation Efforts Fire Officer/Firefighters Suppression Witnesses Interview Observations Fire/Arson Investigations Origin & Cause Determination Follow-up Investigations Same People who should be part of the Initiative

Risk Assessment Youths at Risk Determine Risk Comprehensive Family Fire-Risk Interview Child Fire-Risk Interview Comprehensive Parent Fire-Risk Questionnaire Determine Risk Little Definite Extreme Understanding the JFS Needs Likelihood that these Juveniles will start another fire This is where the emotional conflict in the Juveniles life will be brought out. We need to know why the fire was set (Motive)

Little Risk Motivated by Curiosity & Experimentation Do not Exhibit Psychological Problems Family and Peer Relationships are stable School Performance & Behavior meets expectations Typically Unsupervised Incidents Fire Awareness Education will be Effective Proper Supervision & Educational Intervention will minimize the chances of these kids becoming involved future fire incidents Important to identify and evaluate these kids at an early age. Not Supervised, left alone, etc.

Definite Risk Troubled Cry for Help Emotional Conflict Motivates Firesetting Fire Awareness Education Helpful Psychological Issues Need Addressing Mental Health Social Services Juvenile Justice 2 Major Classes Troubled & Delinquent Cry for Help – Bring attention to there Psychological Distress Fire Awareness helpful Won’t solve psychological Problems

Definite Risk Delinquent Exhibit Behavioral Patterns Serious Emotional & Family Dysfunction Behavior Harder to Reverse Early Identification is Critical Fire Awareness Education Helpful Biggest and Costliest Challenge Juvenile Justice Involvement Aggressive, Deviant, Criminal Don’t get Attention until After First Major Fire Won’t Turn Them Around To Familys & Community

Extreme Risk Less Than 1% of Firesetters Significant Mental Dysfunction Beyond Fire Awareness Education Danger to Themselves & Others Social Services Involvement Necessary

Flow Chart

Commitment / Liability Participation Release Release of Confidential Information Release of Liability Contract A Participation Release will explain purpose and use of the Family, Child, and Family Assessment. A Release of Confidential Information will allow agencies to share information pertinent to the well being, education, and treatment of juveniles and families involved in fire setting and fire play. A Release of Liability will indemnify and hold harmless the SCJFAI and its educators. A Contract between Parents, Juveniles, and the SCJFAI will acknowledge the commitment between all parties.

Fire Awareness Program What is Fire Fire Science Home Hazards Peer Pressure Responsibility Anger Management Burn Injuries Arson Fireworks/ Explosives Legal Consequences

How Can You Help Empower Investigators Accurate Reporting Document Criminal Complaints School Fire Reporting Law Assistance Follow-up MFIRS Stay on Police to File Complaint – Leverage if parents back out Make sure departments are being notified of any fire occurrence