D-52

• This document is Directive #52 from the Philadelphia Fire Department, issued August 2003
• It outlines the Juvenile Firestoppers Program

Policy

• The program aims to reduce fires set by children aged 5-15 (pre-school through grade 9)

Curiosity Juvenile Firesetter (Ages 2-5)

• Children in this age range have a natural curiosity about fire and play with matches/lighters due to lack of supervision
• The primary target for fire safety education is the parent
• The goal is to minimize opportunities for fire play and provide fire education/prevention information

Curiosity Juvenile Firesetter (Ages 5-15)

• Children in this category experiment with fire
• Untended curiosity can lead to firesetting behavior patterns
• The response should be different for a 4-year-old playing with fire compared to a 12-year-old experimenting

Problem Juvenile Firesetter

• These children are identified during the Firestopper Program's interview/FEMA psychological assessment
• They use fire to express hidden emotional or behavioral problems
• Firesetting can be mitigated by fire service intervention, but underlying causes may need mental health intervention

Court Mandated Program

• A special curriculum for juveniles adjudicated into the Firestopper Program by the justice system consists of a six-hour fire safety educational program
• The first two-hour session is a mental health assessment by a court-provided professional
• Followed by four one-hour educational modules at the Fire Administration Building
• The final session reviews the material to determine if objectives were met or if further action is needed

Responsibility for All Members

• Members receiving requests to assist a juvenile firesetter should stress that the parent/guardian make initial contact with the Fire Prevention Unit at 215-686-1382
• Members should emphasize enrolling the firesetter in a formal program for evaluation
• If a situation is brought to a member's attention by someone other than the parent/guardian, that member should encourage the person to call the Fire Prevention Division at 215-686-1382
• The company officer must call the Fire Prevention Division at 215-686-1382 with the name and address of the firesetter and his/her parents

Fire Prevention Division and Fire Marshal's Office

• Any officer filling out a "Report of Fire Alarm" for a fire involving a juvenile where the cause is "children with matches" or "open flame" must fill out a "Request for Juvenile Firestoppers Program"
• The Juvenile Firestopper Program Administrator receives all phone requests and assigns cases to a Fire Safety Specialist
• The Administrator will attempt to contact the firesetter’s family upon a Fire Marshal or field forces request
• The Fire Prevention Division consults with the Fire Marshal's Office prior to the interview to avoid jeopardizing any ongoing investigation
• The Fire Prevention Specialist makes initial contact with the parent/guardian within 48 hours of assignment
• Fire Marshals should encourage the parent/guardian to contact the Juvenile Firestopper Program
• The Fire Marshal should notify the Administrator of the Juvenile Firesetter Program to ensure family contact

General Information

• Based on information from the initial interview/FEMA assessment form, the Fire Prevention Specialist determines the firesetter's status which is curiosity or problem firesetter

Curiosity Juvenile Firesetter (Ages 5-7)

• A Fire Prevention Specialist delivers a fire safety program to the parent/guardian and child
• Parents are encouraged to plan/practice home fire safety drills and talks
• Parents should teach children not to play with ignition sources and conduct a home survey to remove these
• A fire prevention packet is provided

Curiosity Juvenile Firesetter (Ages 7-15)

• One or two Fire Prevention Specialists deliver the Juvenile Firestopper Program to the parent/guardian and child
• Includes a FEMA psychological assessment, a home fire safety survey, and a fire safety lesson
• Fire Prevention packet is delivered to the parents
• Follow-up meetings are scheduled on a case-by-case basis

Problem Juvenile Firesetter

• Home fire safety materials and suggestions are provided to the involved juvenile and parent/guardian at the initial interview
• Information from the initial interview and FEMA Assessment Score determines if educational intervention alone will curb the firesetting behavior
• The Fire Prevention Unit will help the parent/guardian contact the needed social service agencies
• Follow-up meetings are scheduled on a case-by-case basis

Crisis Firesetter

• Crisis firesetting typically occurs in youths over the age of five
• They may be shy or a loner, and have difficulty expressing feelings
• They may be experiencing a crisis like a family move, death, divorce, school failure, or abuse
• Fires are symbolic and targeted at the perceived cause of their stress, and they show no remorse
• These setters are referred to the Department of Human Services for family counseling and social programs

Request for Juvenile Firestoppers Program Form

• The document concludes with includes a form to request entry into the Juvenile Firestoppers Program