FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Association) reports that nationally, children set more than 250,000 fires each year causing more than 500 deaths and some $1 billion in property damage.  FEMA Director James Lee Witt says "Arson is a national problem that can only be solved locally."  But small communities do not always have the experience or resources to solve the problem locally.

Fortunately, Factory Mutual Insurance has extablished their Arson Fund Grant Program.  Since 1976, Factory Mutual has sought out and provided funding for efforts designed to reduce arson.  This year, the Pacific Northwest non-profit SOS FIRES: Youth Intervention Programs has been selected to recieve $3,000 to enhance their ability to provide valuable training to fire service, mental health, juvenile justice, and medical professionals in Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and across North America.

The check will be awarded on Thursday July 30th at 2 pm.   The presentation will be made at the King County (WA) Fire District #40 station at 10828 SE 176th Street, Renton, Washington.

These trainings provide valuable instruction in the development and maintenance of juvenile firesetting intervention programs and arson prevention programs.   A team of instructors travel to communities who request assistance to provide the much needed knowledge gained by the instructional team wo work professionally in Portland, Oregon and King County, Washington.  Both programs are at the forefront of the youth firesetting problem in North America and are using the knowledge gained to help others.   Since beginning these trainings two years ago, over 15 workshops/classes have been provided training hundreds of professionals. 

When children set fires, they most often become the victim of their own actions.  Find out what your community has to offer and support those efforts.   A child's safety may depend on it.

SOS FIRES: Youth Intervention Programs is a non-profit (501[c]3 tax exempt #94-3194659) that supports and promotes the development of community based youth firesetting intervention programs.  They provide training, consulting, and resources for fire service and mental health partners developing firesetting intervention programs.