Youth Firesetter Program
There are many reasons children may experiment with fire. They are all of concern to those in the fire service. Often children, as well as some adults are unable to make proper choices to remain safe around fire. If a child you care about has played with matches, lighters, fireworks, candles, has set a fire, or has shown curiosity of fire that worries you, it might be a good idea to get them involved in The Youth Firesetter Intervention Program.
The Wauseon Fire Department, Youth Firesetter Program has been operational since 2019. The program is coordinated by our Fire Prevention Captain – Firefighter/EMT Jason Fisher. The program provides a simple risk assessment and fire safety education for the child and the caregiver at no charge. Everything is confidential and is intended to keep you and your family safe from fire. Both child and caregiver will learn what they can do to make the home a safer place to live. Statistically, children who have set a fire will continue to do so, setting increasingly more dangerous fires. The Youth Firesetter Intervention Program we use has been shown to end this behavior in most cases.
Until your appointment, you can make sure you have at least one smoke alarm on each level of the house and outside the sleeping areas, if you don’t have any we can provide them free of charge. Test each one to make sure they are working. Looking through the house and remove or secure all fire-starting tools including matches, lighters, and barbecue lighters. The child can help you do these things to keep your family safe.
Most programs work with children 5-17 years of age. Younger children may be seen based on the situation. If a child is facing charges, the fire department may wait until the case is settled because attendance in an Intervention Program is often ordered as part of the deferment, parole, or sentencing.
Firesetting can be a symptom of another challenge a child is facing. If the child is at high risk of continuing their dangerous behavior with fire, you will likely be encouraged to seek the assistance of a mental health professional to address the underlying cause of their behavior. If your insurance doesn’t cover the cost, the local health department can often find assistance. Our close relationships with the Wauseon Police Department, Fulton County Sheriffs Office, Fulton County Job and Family Services, Ohio Division of Fire Marshal, and other community agencies provide our team with invaluable training tools, information, and the ability to accept referrals.
Please fill out the form if you have any questions or concerns and our Fire Prevention Captain – Firefighter/EMT Jason Fisher will contact you promptly.