Program Development and Maintenance

The articles listed are not necessarily the opinion of SOS FIRES. We present these to offer the most balanced perspective on youth firesetting behaviors we can.

Screening and Assessment in Juvenile Justice Systems - By Gina M. Vincent, Ph.D. - This article provides compelling discussion about the differences between screenings and assessments in the juvenile justice system. The issue is also very applicable to the youth firesetting field. This is an excellent article for any program that needs clarification on the various levels of service and the potential scope of each level. The author can also be contacted for detail at University of Massachusettes Medical School - Gina.Vincent@umassmed.edu or 508-856-8727.

Devloping and Managing Youth Firesetting Intervention Programs - by Don Porth, Niki Periera, Lisa Garvich - If you are developing or reviewing a youth firesetting intervention program, this is a must-read article. It provides valuable insight into the basic, yet essential, elements of a successful program. This presents the most current terminologies and concepts consistent with NFPA Standard 1035 Juvenile Firesetting Intervention Specialist Level I & II.

National Fire Academy Course Delivery for Juvenile Firesetting Intervention Specialist Level I and II - by SOS FIRES - Have you wondered how many JFIS Level I and II courses have been delivered? Have you wondered how many professionals have been trained? Check out this article to see the impact this training alone has had on the field of youth firesetting intervention.

The Development of an Educational Program Effective in Reducing the Fire Deaths of Preschool Children - by Sharon Gamache, Don Porth, and Earl Diment - Each year in the United States an estimated 700 children age five and under die in home fires. Representing 20 percent of the fire deaths each year, this age group has a fire risk that is double the national average. Children playing with matches and/or lighters and other fire sourcses started about 91,810 fires per year from 1993 to 1997. This resulted in an estimated 338 deaths and 2,624 injuries per year (on average). Preschool children ar the most frequent victims of fires started by children playing with matches and/or lighters. This article discusses ways to approach solutions to this age-old problem.

Societies Influence On Youth Firesetting - by Don Porth and Lisa Garvich - This article explores the impact our culture plays on children and fire. From what is taught by parents, to what is taught by firefighters, you may be surprised at the questions this will prompt.

Community Accountability Conferences - by Brian Enright - The community accountability conferencing project of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan offers an alternative look at conventional intervention practices. This approach involves the entire community in the community problem of youth firesetting intervention.

Juvenile Firesetting Review Boards - by Jeffery A. Sterrett - A community approach to juvenile firesetting intervention is definitely the best course of action. This article shares how Delaware has taken this to a new level of involvement and professionalism. Can your community learn a lesson from their approach?

Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Juvenile Firesetting Intervention Program - by Marilyn Arnlund - This article began as a National Fire Academy class project but proved a valuable piece of work to demonstrate evaluation is a necessary part of an effective youth firesetting intervention program.

Collaboration Between Teachers and the Fire Service for Early Identification and Intervention - by Jamie Fry - How can collaboration between teachers and the fire service increase for the safety of children? Consider this article for some thought provoking ideas.